May 17, 2007

Women's Basketball and Free Market Economics : "They are too young to fully appreciate the irony of American basketball players traveling to Russia to earn a far better living than possible in the United States."

read story | posted by smithers to Basketball at 8:59 AM CDT (18 comments total)

It's good to see women's basketball players having a shot at earning at least a less embarrassing fraction of what their male counterparts make. It's too bad they have to go to other countries to do so.

Thanks for a terrific post, smithers.

posted by wfrazerjr at 9:59 AM CDT on May 17

I don't think it's too bad that they have to go to Russia. That's where it's appreciated more, that's where the money is, that's where they go. How many times have we seen the shoe on the other foot? I suspect this is not the last time we'll hear about similar happenings in other sports.

Actually, I think it's nothing short of a good thing.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:36 AM CDT on May 17

How many times have we seen the shoe on the other foot?

Meaning, that US men make more money competing overseas than they would in the US, while US women are raking in the big bucks at home? I'd say...zero. Am I overlooking something?

posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:41 AM CDT on May 17

I thought Weedy meant how many times have we seen foreigners come to the States to play where they can earn more money.

posted by jmd82 at 10:49 AM CDT on May 17

Am I overlooking something?

I think Weedy meant something less US-centric....that in men's sports talent has migrated globally to where it most valued (in soccer, baseball, hockey, etc. etc.) for quite some time.....though maybe I am putting words in his mouth.

My only question is what happens when Daddy Warbucks pulls the plug on the whole operation? I mean, my "free market" title is a little misleading if the guy is essentially just throwing leisure money around with no sustainable business model.

posted by smithers at 10:52 AM CDT on May 17

I thought Weedy meant how many times have we seen foreigners come to the States to play where they can earn more money.

Bingo.

My only question is what happens when Daddy Warbucks pulls the plug on the whole operation? I mean, my "free market" title is a little misleading if the guy is essentially just throwing leisure money around with no sustainable business model.

Ah, the NBA is a playground for billionaires, too. The North American 'business model' is a tad overstated in it's brilliance of sustainability. "Get bunch of really rich guys. Buy teams. Show teams on TV. TV not showing teams? Buy TV stations."

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:01 AM CDT on May 17

Get bunch of really rich guys. Buy teams. Show teams on TV. TV not showing teams? Buy TV stations."

HA! I knew Weedy was Ted Turner's alter ego!

I do agree with you Sir McSmokey, it makes perfict since to go where the money is. If the US does'nt support the WNBA, and there is more interest/cash over there then by all means go. Make the bigger, bucks move back to the States if you wish when your job is done.

posted by Folkways at 11:24 AM CDT on May 17

Interesting article, and some useful insights into Russian sport, but...

Why can't the author write a story without resorting to the tired old 'foreigners are funny and different' line? It's not funny and spoils many of the good points made.

posted by owlhouse at 8:25 PM CDT on May 17

Bingo.

Ah, gotcha. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Great article BTW.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 9:09 PM CDT on May 17

Weedy's right, except that I'm selfish and want my future girlfriend Lauren Jackson to play in New York a lot more often than she does, so I'll be able to seduce her better with my alarmingly witty heckling, cartoonishly hideous Australian mock accent, and the fact that I'm a foot shorter than she is, which will surely convince her that I am the one for her. (I would be willing to wear platforms if it would help things along. I'm just saying.)

But aside from that, if they've found a market that supports their sport better than North America, good for them. They deserve it as much as anyone else.

posted by chicobangs at 11:14 AM CDT on May 18

I've heard that alarmingly witty heckling, chico. Your future girlfriend Lauren Jackson is going to be completely off her game and helpless on the floor laughing if she ever hears it.

"Beat her like the strumpet she is!"

posted by lil_brown_bat at 11:39 AM CDT on May 18

You ain't just whistlin' Waltzing Mathilda, there, sheila.

"Tie her kangaroo down, sport!"
"Make her wish the dingoes had gotten to her first!"
"When... the... tail spears your heart like a big spiky dart, that's a morayyy!"

I'm here all week. Try the veal. Tip your waitress. Is this thing even on?

Every single one of us, the devil inside.

posted by chicobangs at 12:50 PM CDT on May 18

Tell her you know Jocko.

posted by yerfatma at 1:16 PM CDT on May 18

Or Rocko.

posted by lilnemo at 1:30 PM CDT on May 18

Oh dear. At least I know what I'm talking about.

Youse guys are coming the raw prawn. Fair dinkum.

posted by owlhouse at 8:24 AM CDT on May 19

owlhouse, would you be my Cyrano? (schnozzola optional.)

posted by chicobangs at 11:35 AM CDT on May 19

Sure thing, chico. Unfortunately Lauren grew up in Albury and, sorry to disappoint you, but wooing with poetry doesn't work much outside Sydney and Melbourne.

When I lived there, I did see her play for the Canberra Capitals. So she may fancy a hot political discussion instead.

At the risk of turning this into a Lauren worship site, she does have a cool sense of humour. Asked by a journalist why she was so tall and good at basketball, she looked at him and replied in a manner reminiscent of an adult dealing with a dopey child that it was probably because both her parents were tall and had played for Australia, too.

posted by owlhouse at 12:48 AM CDT on May 20

(I swear I didn't mean to derail an otherwise interesting thread with a reading from my personal fantasy file. Apologies, smithers et al.

That said, Storm at Liberty is July 22. Anyone wanna go?)

posted by chicobangs at 10:12 AM CDT on May 21

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