Brooklyn Nets player Michael Porter Jr. has received backlash over his previous comments on the WNBA. He went viral for his comments about women’s basketball when he spoke about the pay disparities against WNBA players, which he credited to a lack of viewership.

Players themselves have responded with overwhelming excitement. Sparks veteran Nneka Ogwumike reportedly told insiders that this project represents “a promise kept” to the next generation of athletes, ensuring that young stars will have access to the resources they deserve. Social media exploded as fans celebrated the unveiling, with many noting that the WNBA has entered a “new era of respect and investment.”

The timing of this move is equally significant. The Sparks are in the midst of rebuilding their roster into championship contention, and this announcement signals to fans and players alike that the franchise is committed to returning to the top of the league. With free agency looming, the facility could act as a magnet for elite talent, giving Los Angeles a tangible edge over rivals. Imagine future stars deciding to join the Sparks not just for basketball reasons, but for the world-class support system surrounding them.

“I know these females [WNBA players] want to get paid more, and they’re very talented. But so is a famous ping-pong player… That doesn’t mean that they’re going to get paid the same, because it’s what the people wanna watch. As much as I understand females wanting the same treatment as men basketball players, it’s a different sport,” he said on The Pivot Podcast last year.

When he wasn’t talking about the lack of viewers wanting to watch the WNBA, which he believes contributes to the lack of pay, he spoke negatively about the skills of said players. In a Twitch stream with streamer plaqueboymax back in August, when he insinuated the WNBA stars’ playing ability could be compared to that of high school players.

“If the WNBA All-Star team, if the Olympic team played the McDonald’s All-American high school players, it’s one of them things, bro. You can’t dance around it,” he said on the stream at the time. “In high school, when I was in high school… If we play the WNBA All-Star team, that, no disrespect, bro. No disrespect, bro. I’m not even gonna say it.”

However, despite the previous comments Porter Jr. has made, he shared during the Brooklyn Nets media day that he has a “fan” of the league.

“I’m the biggest fan of the WNBA,” he said. “I have two sisters that for most of my childhood beat me every single day at basketball. Like, I’m the biggest fan of the WNBA. I grew up with Sophie Cunningham. She’s also from my [city], so we’ve talked a little about just being able to chop it up and talk on the podcast and things like that.”

Michael Porter Jr. about why he started his podcast

During the offseason, Porter Jr. has been a part of several podcasts, voicing his opinions on dating as well as starting his own podcast, Curious Mike.

“The podcast I started years ago. I think it’s important for players to be able to kind of have a say in their own narrative,” Porter Jr. said during Nets Media Day. “That was part of it. I’ve had a podcast for a while, so it’s nothing new. It was honestly just having more attention to detail in my life. I read a book, and it was just that thing you put off for the future, spend a day doing it now. So I honestly just gave it more effort because you have 24 hours in a day, I’m obviously not going to be in the gym all 24 hours.”

Michael Porter Jr. leverages Sophie Cunningham relationship amid negative WNBA comments – Yahoo Sports

Despite the noise on social media, Porter Jr. shares that starting a podcast wasn’t a result of his trade to the Nets. The NBA Champion was traded from the Denver Nuggets over the summer.

“So I think it was just more intentionality of trying to be consistent with it,” he said. “And obviously, it took off a little bit, and people paid attention to it, but there was nothing that really inspired it. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I got traded, now let me get on this podcast.’ I think it was just more me being focused on it a little bit.”

The Los Angeles Sparks have just sent shockwaves through the sports world with a jaw-dropping announcement: the unveiling of a brand-new $150 million ultra-luxury training and performance facility, a project already being hailed as the biggest power move in WNBA history. Branded as a game-changer for women’s basketball, the sparkling mega-complex not only redefines what elite athletes can expect from their franchises but also sets a new benchmark that even NBA teams are reportedly “green with envy” over.

For years, the WNBA has battled the narrative of being underfunded compared to its NBA counterpart, with athletes speaking out about the disparities in training resources, travel conditions, and support infrastructure. This facility, however, represents a monumental shift. Funded through a bold mix of ownership investment, sponsorship partnerships, and city-backed initiatives, the Sparks’ new headquarters will serve as both a state-of-the-art training ground and a cultural hub for women’s sports in Los Angeles.

The complex includes features that rival — and in some cases surpass — those found in NBA organizations. Early reports detail multiple full-sized practice courts outfitted with cutting-edge technology, hyper-modern strength and conditioning zones, cryotherapy chambers, hydrotherapy pools, and medical centers capable of delivering 24/7 treatment and recovery care. The facility also offers dedicated spaces for nutrition, mental wellness, and lifestyle support, reinforcing the Sparks’ vision of treating their players not just as athletes, but as holistic professionals.

One of the most buzzworthy additions is the luxury player lounge, complete with private chef services, performance nutrition labs, sleep pods, and custom recovery suites. These aren’t just perks — they’re designed to extend careers, optimize health, and give the Sparks a recruiting advantage when it comes to signing top free agents. Sources close to the team have already suggested that this investment could make Los Angeles the most desirable destination in the WNBA, on par with the way NBA free agents gravitate toward iconic franchises like the Lakers or Warriors.

The symbolism of this project can’t be overstated. By investing $150 million into infrastructure for women’s basketball, the Sparks are loudly declaring that the WNBA is no longer content to live in the NBA’s shadow. Instead, they are charting their own path, setting standards that could ripple across the league. Rival teams — from big-market franchises like New York and Las Vegas to smaller-market organizations — will now feel pressure to keep up, triggering what some analysts are calling a “facilities arms race” within the WNBA.

Michael Porter Jr. leverages Sophie Cunningham relationship amid negative WNBA comments – Yahoo Sports

Critics have long argued that women’s sports lacked the financial backing to make such bold moves. But the Sparks’ investment blows that myth apart, proving that with vision and commitment, franchises can reimagine what’s possible. Analysts already predict that the long-term returns on this facility — in the form of sponsorships, ticket sales, fan engagement, and elevated media coverage — will justify the cost many times over.

This project also sends a direct message to the NBA. While many NBA teams have extraordinary facilities, few can claim to have pioneered innovations specifically tailored to the unique demands of women athletes. By moving first, the Sparks may have outflanked even their NBA counterparts, challenging them to rethink how they prioritize their own players’ experiences. The idea that NBA franchises might now look toward the WNBA for inspiration represents a remarkable cultural shift.

At its core, the $150 million mega-facility is about more than luxury — it’s about respect, progress, and vision. The Sparks have not only invested in bricks and mortar, but in the future of women’s sports, in the empowerment of their athletes, and in the elevation of the WNBA brand. For fans, players, and even rivals, this unveiling feels like a watershed moment — a before-and-after line in the history of the league.

The Los Angeles Sparks have always been one of the WNBA’s marquee franchises, but this move cements their place as trailblazers yet again. If championships are built on culture, resources, and ambition, then the Sparks may have just taken the single biggest step toward dominating the next era of the league. And as the sports world watches in awe, one thing is clear: the WNBA has arrived, and the Sparks have lit the path forward.