A’ja Wilson questions the WNBA’s investigation into the Aces’ $100,000 sponsorship

The WNBA continues to review the $100,000 Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority sponsorship that was offered to all 12 Las Vegas Aces players earlier this week.

ESPN reported Saturday that the WNBA plans to investigate the deal. The contract includes an agreement that players will wear Las Vegas-specific clothing and will be “mutually agreed upon acceptable opportunities to perform on behalf of Las Vegas,” according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.

The sponsorship does not violate the WNBA’s salary cap because the LVCVA did not include the club in the deal, but instead worked with each individual player and agent. However, the league will determine whether the sponsorship violates the spirit of the salary cap rules.

Aces star A’ja Wilson learned of the investigation shortly after Las Vegas earned an 89-82 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday.

“When we talk about evolving the game, when we talk about taking the next step, it can’t always be, ‘Investigate, investigate, investigate,'” Wilson said after the game. “We’re trying to move the needle. We’re trying to make things better for franchises, for players, for teams.”

According to Spotrac, six of the 12 aces – Megan Gustafson, Emma Cannon, Sydney Colson, Kierstan Bell, Dyaisha Fair and Kate Martin – earn less than $100,000. Wilson and Kelsey Plum are the two highest-paid players on the team, each earning $200,000 this season.