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Sometimes, a number speaks louder than any headline. This week, fans did a double take when it was revealed that Steph Curry’s salary for the 2025–26 NBA season a staggering $55.2 million is more than 36 times the combined salaries of every single player on the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest franchise.
To some, it looked like a typo. To others, it was a sobering reminder of just how wide the gender pay gap in professional sports remains.
The Valkyries, who are preparing for their much-anticipated inaugural season, are backed by the same ownership as the Warriors and will share Chase Center as their home arena. Fans in the Bay Area have embraced the new team, packing open practices and driving a surge in ticket sales. But while the buzz around the Valkyries is real, their salaries are rooted in a much more modest reality.
Under the WNBA’s current salary structure, the team’s entire roster — 12 elite athletes who have climbed to the very top of women’s basketball — will earn around $1.5 million combined. That’s less than what Curry, a global icon and arguably the greatest shooter in basketball history, earns in less than two weeks.
“I don’t think anyone’s saying Steph doesn’t deserve what he earns,” said Valkyries fan Jasmine Cruz outside Chase Center. “But seeing the gap that wide makes you think twice. These women are just as dedicated, just as skilled in their craft — and the pay difference is almost unbelievable.”
Curry, for his part, has been a consistent supporter of women’s basketball. He’s sponsored girls’ programs, spoken openly about pay equity, and even attended WNBA games during the offseason. Still, the numbers don’t lie — and the comparison is hard to ignore.
Social media quickly lit up with reactions. One post read, “Steph’s single game check is probably more than what half the Valkyries roster will take home this season. How is that okay?” Another asked, “How can we expect young girls to dream big in sports if the rewards just aren’t there?”
The WNBA has seen impressive growth in recent years — record-breaking viewership, rising merchandise sales, and a deeper cultural impact. Players like A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Caitlin Clark have become household names. But the economic foundation of the league still trails far behind its male counterpart.
“Pay equity in sports isn’t just about numbers,” said sports advocate Lauren Mitchell. “It’s about visibility, investment, and changing the way we value women athletes. The Valkyries are part of that change, but we have a long road ahead.”
As the Valkyries tip off their first season, they do so with the spotlight shining — and not just because they’re new. They symbolize a bigger movement, one that’s asking tough questions about fairness, opportunity, and respect.
And if comparing their pay to Steph Curry’s makes people pause — maybe that’s exactly what’s needed.
