A’ja Wilson, reigning WNBA MVP and star of the Las Vegas Aces, recently stirred the pot during her appearance on The Roommates Show podcast, hosted by NBA players Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson. When asked if WNBA players endure the toughest schedules in sports, Wilson confidently said “yes,” igniting a spicy debate among fans who were ready to throw figurative tomatoes (and maybe a baseball bat or two) at her claim.
Wilson elaborated on the whirlwind transition WNBA rookies face:
“Yeah, for sure. Our rookie orientation isn’t crazy. It’s like a day before the draft, but we don’t get to work out for teams or do a combine. You go straight from college to training camp, then back to graduate, and then boom — you’re playing preseason games.”
She didn’t stop there. Wilson dove into the chaos of an Olympic year, highlighting how her Aces had six Olympians on their roster. With half their squad jetting off to represent their countries, she implied they were at a disadvantage compared to teams with full rosters sipping piña coladas somewhere warm.
“Our schedule is crazy. While other teams can train, rest, or go on vacation, we’re grinding,” she said.
Fans Swing Back, MLB Style
Basketball fans did not dribble past Wilson’s statement. Instead, they dunked on her like it was the last play of Game 7:
“So disrespectful to MLB athletes,” one fan wrote, likely imagining 162 games, doubleheaders, and cross-country flights while holding their popcorn. Another chimed in, “No one tell her about Major League Baseball,” as if they’d just watched a marathon 18-inning game.
Others called foul, comparing the WNBA’s 40-game season to the NBA’s 82-game gauntlet.
“They literally only play 4 months a year,” one critic pointed out, adding some calendar math for extra sting. Another fan delivered the ultimate shot: “They literally have the easiest schedule.”
Ouch.
One Fan Comes to Wilson’s Defense
Not everyone was on the attack, though. A lone fan stepped in, interpreting Wilson’s comments as more about the brutal transition from college to the pros.
“If it’s about rookie transitions, she’s right. They play nearly a year straight. Finish college, get drafted, and immediately start the WNBA season,” the fan argued, sprinkling in a little empathy to the fiery debate.
Rest Over Riches: A’ja Wilson Declines $1 Million Offer
Interestingly, Wilson is taking an offseason breather despite the WNBA season still being months away. Reports from Sports Business Journal revealed that Wilson turned down a $1 million offer to join the new 3×3 Unrivaled League, founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.
While other players like Brittney Griner and Kelsey Plum will compete in the 36-player league, Wilson is opting for rest. “She likes to rest her body; she doesn’t want to play year-round,” a source close to Wilson said.
Perhaps she’s practicing what she preaches about the grueling schedule? Or maybe she’s just really good at saying “no” to basketball when it’s not on her terms. Either way, Wilson seems unbothered by the internet’s chatter — and let’s be real, when you’ve got two MVP awards and a championship ring, a little online shade probably feels like a light breeze.
Final Whistle: Is She Right?
Whether you agree with Wilson or not, the conversation has sparked a larger debate about athlete workloads, transitions, and seasons. Is the WNBA schedule tougher than MLB? Maybe not in length, but when you factor in international play, college-to-pro transitions, and societal pressures on women’s sports, there’s room for Wilson’s perspective.
For now, one thing’s clear: if the WNBA ever schedules 162 games, A’ja Wilson might be the first to retire — and MLB fans will be there to say, “Welcome to our world.”