President Biden wants WNBA players to be paid more — now he just has to learn who they are.
Biden honored the two-time champion Las Vegas Aces at the White House on Thursday and shouted out the recently-retired Candace Parker.
“While she couldn’t be here,” Biden said of the WNBA legend. “I want to acknowledge someone who we consider one of the greatest all-time coaches — Candace Parker.”
There is just one problem: Parker has never coached.
Biden did seem to get his facts straight with the second part of his compliment.
“She played 16 seasons in the league, two Olympic Gold Medals, two regular season MVPs, and a Final MVP,” Biden said. “And look — and going out on top of the world with her third ring, she announced her retirement from the game. She announced her retirement from the game but I want to thank her for an incredible career. We know she has a whole world in front of her. A whole world.”
The Aces defeated the Liberty in four games in the WNBA Finals a season ago, led by two-time league MVP A’Ja Wilson.
Vice President Kamala Harris introduced the team with a breakdown of their Game 4 comeback at the Barclays Center as the players cheered.
Harris called Wilson “simply one of the best basketball players in the world.”
Biden then noted how the Aces are the first WNBA team to go back-to-back in 20 years — since the Los Angeles Sparks accomplished the feat in 2001 and 2002.
“I kinda like that back-to-back,” the 81-year-old Biden said, referencing his upcoming re-election bid.
Parker announced in April she was retiring from the WNBA after one of the most decorated careers in the league’s history.
She averaged nine points and five rebounds per game in her final season.
The 38-year-old was named Adidas’ new president of women’s basketball on Wednesday.
“It matters to girls and women, finally seeing themselves represented,” Biden said. “It matters to all Americans. That’s why as a nation, we need to support women’s sports.”
In March, Biden tweeted in support of WNBA players getting paid more after Caitlin Clark’s rookie contract went viral.
Clark was selected with the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever and her immense popularity has put a greater spotlight on women’s basketball.
“Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all,” Biden wrote on X. “But right now we’re seeing that even if you’re the best, women are not paid their fair share.
“It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve.”
The WNBA season starts Tuesday with Las Vegas taking on the Phoenix Mercury in one of four games.
