NBA player confesses publicly about the turbulent marriage with an NFL tight end, allegedly for self-preservation
In the world of professional sports, the salary gap between the WNBA and the NBA has long been a topic of discussion. Kelsey Plum, the Las Vegas Aces guard and WNBPA's first vice president, is leading the charge for a fairer revenue-sharing model in the WNBA.
Plum, who was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2025 off-season, has been vocal about the need for a proportional share of league-generated revenue comparable to the NBA players’ revenue split. Currently, WNBA players receive a much smaller share of league revenue, with the highest-paid player reported to have a three-year deal total of around $700,000, while NBA player salaries are commonly in the multimillion-dollar range annually.
Plum's advocacy is not about demanding parity with the NBA's much larger financial ecosystem, but rather about achieving a fairer share of league revenue as a foundational step to increase salaries sustainably with the league’s growth.
Meanwhile, in the NFL, Darren Waller, Plum's ex-husband, has made a surprising return to the league. After spending the 2023 season with the New York Giants and retiring at 31-years-old, Waller has come out of retirement and been traded to the Miami Dolphins. Waller's list of tight end targets with the Dolphins includes Julian Hill, Pharaoh Brown, and Tanner Conner.
Waller expressed hope that he would find joy in football again in South Beach, after being put on the physically unable to perform list as the Dolphins opened training camp. His return to the NFL follows his divorce from Plum, which was a hot topic in the media. Plum, who has a tattoo of Waller that she is trying to remove, expressed her devastation over the end of their relationship in a statement on social media in April 2024.
On the court, Plum has been shining. She is leading the Los Angeles Sparks in points scored (20.3) per game and assists (6.0) per game. In the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Plum won back-to-back WNBA championships with the Las Vegas Aces.
Off the court, Plum has been an advocate for a greater split of revenue for WNBA players. She advocated for this cause by wearing a t-shirt that read 'Pay Us What You Owe Us' during the All-Star game warm-ups. Plum also discussed her new leadership role at the Sparks on the 'ALL THE SMOKE' podcast and appeared in a cameo in 'Happy Gilmore 2'.
As the WNBA and the NFL continue to evolve, the advocacy of Plum and others like her could lead to significant changes in the financial landscape of professional sports. For now, fans can look forward to watching Plum and Waller, though in different leagues, continue to make their mark.
In the arena of professional sports, Kelsey Plum, a WNBA player and WNBPA's first vice president, is advocating for a fairer revenue-sharing model in the WNBA, paralleling the NFL, where Darren Waller, her ex-husband, has made a return to the league. Simultaneously, Plum continues to shine on the basketball court, showcasing her skills in the WNBA. As these leagues progress, the advocacy of Plum and others could potentially reshape the financial landscape of various sports, including the NFL and WNBA.
