Diana Taurasi Says 'Janitor at the Arena Made More Than Me' While She Was Playing in the WNBA

Diana Taurasi spoke candidly in the Prime Video docuseries Taurasi about how her exceptionally low WNBA salary forced her to play overseas in pursuit of generational wealth.

"I'm the best player in the world, and I have to go to a communist country to get paid like a capitalist," Taurasi said. "One time I came back, and I was like, 'Man, my parents have just gotten older, and I've missed a big part of it. We weren't making that much money. So, generational wealth was coming from going to Russia every year."

A rightfully disgusted Taurasi painted an uninspiring image of playing in the WNBA, coupled with the reality that her salary was less than that of a janitor.

"Now we have to come back home, and get paid nothing to play in a harder league, in worse conditions against the best competition in the world," she said. "The fucking janitor at the arena made more than me."

Taurasi's candor regarding her WNBA salary in the three-part docuseries comes at a pivotal moment in the league's history. The WNBA and WNBPA are currently engaged in discussions about a new collective bargaining agreement, with an increase in annual salary being one of the issues at the forefront.

Players raised awareness about the ongoing negotiations by wearing black shirts with "Pay Us What You Owe Us" emblazoned across the front while warming up ahead of the WNBA All-Star Game last month.

With WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert boasting the league's growth across the board, and a new media deal that goes into effect next year, it's time for WNBA to right its wrongs, which date back to Taurasi and beyond.

Taurasi premieres Aug. 7.