"Me when they told me we were getting 100k"- A'ja Wilson shares comical reaction to Aces' $100,000 sponsorship

A'ja Wilson and her Las Vegas Aces teammates just got $100,000 richer on Friday. After winning the WNBA championship in back-to-back years, the city has finally given them more than just recognition.

They were rewarded financially through a sponsorship by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority which is led by Steve Hill. Hill, together with some members of the group, talked to the Aces and gave this message:

“Today we want to do something that is new, something that I don’t think anyone has done before. We want to recognize you individually, we want to put some money in your pockets.

“The offer is really simple: We want you to just play, keep repping Las Vegas and if you get a three-peat, that would be icing on the cake.”

When Hill said “to put money in your pockets,” the players’ antennas promptly went up.

A few of them laughed, while others started moving their chairs toward Hill. Kelsey Plum, one of the team’s core players and leaders, let out a big “Whooh!” when the message sunk in.

A'ja Wilson didn’t say much during the meeting but later tweeted:

“Me when they told me we were getting 100k lmaooo”

The Aces couldn’t hold back their excitement and gratefulness considering their salary in 2024.

Per Spotrac, only Wilson and Plum are earning at least $200K, a number that's less than what they could have earned had they pushed for a super-max contract. Everyone on the roster had to take a little less to build a team that's gunning for a three-peat.

For players under the $100K threshold like Kierstan Bell, Emma Cannon, Sydney Colson, Megan Gustafson and Kate Martin, the news had to be unbelievable.

A'ja Wilson’s Aces opened the 2024 WNBA season by raising their second consecutive championship banner, beating the Phoenix Mercury 89-80. In between the showdown with the Mercury and Saturday’s encounter with the LA Sparks, the Aces probably had their best news of the season.

---

15 of 20 sell-out games are proof that A'ja Wilson and the Aces deserve the sponsorship

The three-peat-looking Las Vegas Aces are certainly catching the attention of basketball fans.

They have just announced that 15 of 20 home games have all been sold out, a record in the WNBA. If there were any doubts about their popularity over the past few years, there certainly isn’t one now.

In July this year, all eyes will be on the T-Mobile Arena when A'ja Wilson. The two-time defending champs host Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. The game was supposed to be held at the Michelob Ultra, the Aces’ usual home venue, but demand for more tickets forced them to change arenas.

Eight thousand more seats will be available when Las Vegas gets its first look at the highly touted No. 1 pick this year.

If the Las Vegas Aces complete a three-peat, A'ja Wilson and her teammates will be even more in demand. Maybe another sponsorship will be at hand if they accomplish just the second grand slam in WNBA history.

---