Mark Davis On WNBA Investigation Of Aces: Team Did 'Absolutely Nothing Wrong'
Last week, the WNBA launched an investigation into the Las Vegas Aces. And now, team owner Mark Davis is speaking out.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) announced on May 17 it would provide $100K sponsorships to each player on the team's roster. The LVCVA is funded solely by the room tax paid by tourists who stay in the city's hotels.
READ: WNBA Investigating $100K Sponsorship Payments From Las Vegas Tourism To Aces Players
Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the franchise itself can't arrange for additional compensation or endorsements on behalf of its players. But LVCVA says it worked solely with players' agents, and not the team. Still, questions were raised about the fairness of the sponsorship and whether it violates "the spirit" of the salary cap rules.
Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson celebrates after winning the 2023 WNBA Finals.
(Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports)
Davis said on Wednesday the league will find "absolutely nothing" wrong with the arrangement.
"There was absolutely nothing done wrong," Davis said at the conclusion of the NFL league meetings, where he was representing his Las Vegas Raiders. "And I think it's sad that they used the word investigation instead of something a little softer to say, 'Hey we might look into it' or whatever. But they're going to find there's nothing wrong."
Mark Davis Has Done Well For The Las Vegas Aces
When Davis bought the Aces in 2021, he said his main goal was to get the players paid more money. He hired Becky Hammon, and made her the first WNBA head coach with a million-dollar salary. The Aces have won back-to-back WNBA titles and are the first team in league history to sell out their allotment of season tickets.
"I'm just really proud of (the LVCVA) for doing it and recognizing the value that the women bring to the community," Davis said. "If, in fact, we can get them hundreds of thousands of dollars or get into the millions of dollars for all the players, they can stay in the community. They don't have to go overseas to play. They'll have the resources to stay to work in the community, work with young kids and all of that. And that's the vision I have for growing the league. Obviously, there are ways that we can't compensate them, but there's also third parties that can."
Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis holds the WNBA Championship trophy.
(Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports)
Davis said this WNBA "investigation" is only hurting the players — in a league that already struggles to make money.
"When you say 'investigation,' other organizations that are in our community might say, 'Hey, we may want to sit back and wait. Maybe this is illegal' or this or that," Davis said. "And I think that's the wrong approach.
"Again, the word investigation is not good. It should have been, 'This is great. Let's see more of these come forward and do this.'"
There's a big double standard in the WNBA, according to Davis. It's against league rules for the Raiders (also owned by Davis) to sponsor the Aces. But Nike — which is an equity investor in the league — is allowed to sponsor players.
READ: Caitlin Clark's 8-Year Nike Deal Worth Up To $28 Million
"Nike is an owner of the WNBA, and they're allowed to sponsor Caitlin Clark for $28 million on one player. And nobody's complaining or investigating," Davis said. "And I think it's great that Nike's doing that. But let's give credit to where credit's due: Las Vegas Convention Authority is stepping up and recognizing these women."
According to CBS Sports, the WNBA has not yet spoken to Davis regarding this investigation.
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