Shaquille O’Neal believes A’ja Wilson and the rest of the WNBA will get the money they deserve if the league opts to lower the rims.
As it stands, the WNBA plays on 10-foot rims, which is exactly the same height as the NBA’s rims. However, the former Los Angeles Lakers star believes that if the WNBA elects to have lower rims, that could potentially helped grow the amount of viewers to the game, which in turn will bring in more revenue.
On his Instagram account, O’Neal shared his take on the discussion, stating that the league will be better off with shorter rims. With the basketball hoop lower, the 52-year-old claims Wilson and the rest of the WNBA’s stars will get the contracts they deserve.
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“60 percent of the fan [sic] said Dunking their favorite thing,” O’Neal’s Instagram post began. “The WNBA has none of that. SO they make much less money. Just trying to get you that 300 million dollars you deserve @aja22wilson #shaqwnbacommisioner . Love yall @wnba.”
This is not the first time O’Neal has suggested the WNBA lower their rims to cater to casual fans to get more revenue. In 2021, O’Neal brought up the idea during a taping of ‘Inside the NBA’ to Los Angeles Sparks legend Candace Parker, which led to an irritated response from one of the only players to dunk during an WNBA game.
“I have a way to make it equal,” the four-time NBA champion told Parker, per Complex. “So in beach volleyball, the women’s net is maybe a half-an-inch lower. You think if we lower the rim so y’all can dunk like we dunk that would give y’all more oomph than you already have?”
A’ja Wilson could make more money if the WNBA lowered the rims, Shaquille O’Neal believes (
Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
In response, Parker replied bluntly: “My next child will be drop-step dunking. I promise you.” It appeared as if O’Neal’s suggestion was his way of replying to Wilson’s comments toward New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson during an appearance on the “Roommates Show.”
During the episode, Wilson was asked if she stopped entertaining comments stating that the WNBA should lower the rims so players could dunk and score easier. Exasperated, the star center then gave her own view on why having lower rims would damage the game rather than improve it.
“What is it going to do?” Wilson said bluntly. “Like you guys, like honestly, if you want it, like what is it really going to do for us?” As Wilson asked the question, Brunson was left speechless before claiming that lowering the rim “wouldn’t do that much.”
“OK, well then that could be like my off season,” Wilson continued. “I would much rather just gear my offseason to maxing it out. Like, let’s get this, let’s focus on this, this jumping versus lowering it like an inch that could change all of our shots. Do y’all not understand that?”
Brunson, in a defeated tone, then admitted that the points Wilson brought forth made sense, with the Las Vegas Aces star finishing her part. “I would much rather just like, ‘OK, let’s get in the gym. Let’s work,'” she continued. “You never know, next year, I might dunk, Jalen.”
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