Candace Parker Felt Like a Star After Russian Owner Gifted Black Diamonds and Rolex

Candace Parker has been a part of the WNBA since the early days and has witnessed the changes the league has undergone in that time. She is also observing how the league is about to progress into its new era.

This new era is being supercharged by the arrivals of young superstars. Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers have collectively brought in millions of fans. Along with those fans comes an increase in revenue.

Players want that revenue increase to have a significant impact on their bank accounts as well. Parker, having played in the league for 16 seasons, knows how far the league has come in terms of salary.

There were times when players had to share rooms, and they only flew commercial. Since last year, the WNBA has started chartered flights, and teams are finally investing in high-end facilities.

Other than her final season with the Las Vegas Aces, the 39-year-old could never enjoy those facilities. The only other time she did, it was abroad, as she revealed on her podcast, Post Moves.

In Russia, we had chefs, we had amazing apartments, we had drivers, we flew charter. I mean, my black diamonds are from Russia, I got a Rolex watch. I mean, the amount of gifts that I got from our owners in Russia, and I think that it just makes you feel like you’re one of the top players. And are treated as such.

Candace Parker said

Candace Parker details the luxurious gifts and overall treatment she received while playing overseas in Russia 🥰 pic.twitter.com/FQyIfzgBMS

— Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston (@PostMovesShow) August 13, 2025

The 3-time champion was speaking about the 6 seasons she spent with UMMC Ekaterinburg. The team was the best in Europe and always drew the best players from the WNBA. Maybe this was a way to make those players feel special.

Candace Parker challenges WNBA to step up their game

The entire point of this discussion was for Candace Parker to highlight how poorly the WNBA treats its players. She believes it is time for the league to step up and provide its players what they deserve.

I’m happy for y’all that you are all able to stay stateside and make income. But I do really challenge the WNBA to step their game up.

Candace Parker said

She was referring to the upstart Unrivaled League, which helps some of the best American women’s basketball players earn more money without leaving the country.

Even then, the solution is not for everyone, and there are still many players who have to move abroad in the offseason. Unrivaled featured 36 players last season, and will increase that number to 42.

That leaves 114 players to look for other jobs. That is where Parker hopes the WNBA would step up and improve players’ salaries so that they do not have to hunt for better pay.

WNBA salary increase has to be significant enough to help players develop their game

Those players who have significant endorsements do not bother leaving the country. The others end up playing basketball throughout the year for teams across the globe.

Those players join their European, Chinese, or Australian teams as soon as the WNBA season is over. This leaves them no time to rest and develop their game.

Then, when their stint abroad ends, they are again back into the grind. This means players never get the time to rest their bodies or join their WNBA teammates for offseason workouts. This has an impact on the quality of their play and, subsequently, the league.

If the WNBA wants to produce better quality basketball for its fans, it is imperative that its players get time to work on their skills. Otherwise, it will continue to look like ‘high school’ basketball as Shaquille O’Neal described.

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