Shaq’s WNBA proposal faces pushback
Shaquille O’Neal has sparked a new debate about how the WNBA could attract even more attention. His idea involves changing one of basketball’s most familiar features, but the proposal has drawn pushback from fans and players.
As the league continues to reach new milestones, the discussion raises questions about what should actually drive its growth. Here’s what Shaq proposed and why it has become a talking point.
What Shaq actually suggested
O’Neal did not propose moving the WNBA rim to nine feet or another dramatically lower height. During his discussion with Angel Reese, he said the rim could be lowered slightly to create more dunking opportunities.
His argument focused on entertainment and revenue, connecting exciting plays with fan interest and business growth. He cited Caitlin Clark’s long-range shooting as an example of a skill attracting viewers.
Angel Reese pushed back
Angel Reese pushed back on O’Neal’s suggestion during his appearance on her podcast. When O’Neal argued that lowering the rim could create more dunks, Reese questioned whether the change was simply “so we can dunk?” and rejected the idea.
Reese’s response became an important part of the public discussion surrounding O’Neal’s proposal. Her comments showed that she did not believe adding more dunks was an obvious solution for improving the WNBA’s product or appeal.
Fans questioned the focus on dunking
Recent coverage has highlighted negative reactions from WNBA fans who questioned whether lowering the rim addresses what they value about the league. Some online responses argued that the proposal places too much emphasis on matching the NBA.
Those reactions are part of a discussion, not an official league position or player vote. The WNBA has not announced plans to change rim height for regular-season games.
WNBA rims remain at regulation height
WNBA games currently use baskets with rims 10 feet above the floor, the same standard height used in the NBA. That shared height has been part of professional basketball’s playing environment for decades.
Lowering the rim would be an equipment and competition change rather than a simple marketing adjustment. Such a change would affect players, coaches, officials and venues across the league.
Dunks already exist in the WNBA
The WNBA has produced several players capable of dunking on the league’s standard 10-foot rim, including Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Sylvia Fowles, and Brittney Griner. Griner is recognized as the WNBA’s career leader in dunks.
O’Neal’s proposal focuses on increasing the number of dunk opportunities rather than introducing dunking to the league. Existing examples show that above-the-rim scoring is already part of WNBA history.
A’ja Wilson also rejected the idea
A’ja Wilson rejected the idea of lowering the WNBA rim after O’Neal renewed the discussion in 2024. During an appearance on “The Roommates Show,” Wilson questioned what lowering the rim would accomplish and said it could change players’ shots.
Her response followed earlier resistance from Candace Parker, who disagreed with O’Neal’s lower-rim suggestion. The exchanges show that the idea has faced public pushback from prominent WNBA players over multiple years.
Interesting fact: Shaq won three straight NBA Finals MVP awards.
The league is already growing
The WNBA expanded to 15 teams with the addition of new franchises, including the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. The league has also announced plans for future expansion in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
These additions increase the WNBA’s team count and market reach while maintaining current basketball rules, including the existing 10-foot rim height.
Interesting fact: Shaq was the No. 1 overall pick and immediately became an NBA star.
Attendance has reached new highs
The WNBA set a regular-season attendance record when 20,996 fans watched Toronto play Dallas at Montreal’s Bell Centre in July 2026. That total surpassed the previous record of 20,711 set in Washington in 2024.
The Montreal crowd came during Toronto’s inaugural WNBA season. The record provides a recent example of strong fan demand without changing rim height or the basic rules.
Television access is expanding
The WNBA expanded its national broadcast and streaming availability in 2026, providing fans with more ways to watch games across television and digital platforms.
The league also announced plans to increase the regular-season schedule from 44 games per team to 50 games beginning in 2027. These changes represent business and scheduling growth while the league continues using its current basketball rules.
Player compensation is changing
The WNBA and WNBPA completed a collective bargaining agreement in 2026 that increases player compensation and introduces revenue sharing. The agreement sets the 2026 salary cap at $7 million, compared with $1.5 million in 2025.
The deal also raises the first-year maximum salary to $1.4 million and projects average salaries of $583,000 in 2026. These changes address compensation through labor negotiations rather than changing rules for more dunks.
The debate is about more than one play
The disagreement over O’Neal’s idea reflects different views about what drives attention to professional basketball. O’Neal has emphasized spectacular dunks, while Reese and other players have questioned whether changing the rim addresses broader concerns.
Meanwhile, the WNBA is recording growth through attendance, media distribution, expansion and compensation. Those developments provide measurable evidence that the league is changing without adopting the proposed adjustment.
The internet is also talking about Caitlin Clark appearing to smile after Angel Reese’s missed layup.
No rim change has been announced
As of August 2026, the WNBA has not announced a plan to lower the rim for regular-season competition. The published 2026 schedule, expansion announcements, and collective bargaining agreement contain no such rule change.
The debate remains a discussion about a proposal rather than an implemented policy. The WNBA is moving forward with expansion, wider media distribution and higher player compensation.
In other news, Caitlin Clark trails several WNBA stars in salary rankings.
Should the league consider lowering the rim, or should it focus on other ways to grow the game? Like this slideshow and comment with your take!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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