Why are WNBA players paid so much overseas?

Diana Taurasi, for example, makes $1.5 million from her Russian team, enough that she infamously chose to skip the 2015 season after she was asked to do so by the team, UMMC Ekaterinburg. Why are overseas teams able to pay women's basketball players so much more than they are paid here? read more

I don’t know if this is true, but my guess is that the US spends more money and time on women sports, so the pool of female athletes are better. read more

Agent Bruce Levy said players can add to the average $72,000 WNBA salary by playing overseas, where a typical seven-month contract starts at $40,000. Marquee players can make as much $600,000, including incentives, for one season. With virtually no salary restrictions, two or three players can reach $1 million, including bonuses, Levy said. read more