'Things Have Changed': Michelle Obama Blasts WNBA For Failing Icons Like Candace Parker In Pay Controversy

Michelle Obama didnt mince words when talking about the WNBA and its treatment of legends like Candace Parker .

On the All The Smoke podcast, the former First Lady expressed frustration over the pay disparity that still shadows the league.

Theyve come a long way.

Things have changed...

But we just had a great conversation with Candace Parker, and to be reminded of how hard things were.

...

She was and is one of the greats.

The fact that she will not experience the fruits of her outstanding athletic ability is sad.

Why? Because shes a woman.

Its ridiculous.

Obamas point: even icons dont receive the respect, rest, or reward their talents deservesimply because theyre women.

She noted that many WNBA players must play overseas during the offseason just to make ends meet, while taking nearly no time off to recover their bodies.

That spotlight on Candace Parker, who had to chase paychecks abroad while raising kids and enduring the physical grind, cast a harsh light on league inequities.

Michelle Obama urged faster, smarter changeeven as the leagues popularity surges.

She also highlighted the stark revenue split: NBA players take home about 4951%, while WNBA athletes get just 910%.

Michelle Obama called it unacceptable, saying fans are shouting Pay Them at games, and the power brokers need to listenor risk losing equity and momentum.

Michelle Obama isnt just cheering from the sidelinesshes using her voice to demand the respect and fairness second only to the hardest hussle on the court.

And her caller? Its time to meet it.

Michelle Obamas Brother, Craig Robinson, Reflects on Battling Michael Jordan When it comes to hoops, the Obamas know their storyand Michelles brother, Craig Robinson, has a front-row seat.

On the same All The Smoke podcast, he looked back on the time he worked out with Michael Jordan after MJ had retired.

Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Once [Jordan] retired, he needed some guys to quietly start working out with.

...

We would do workouts with him, and thats when he cooked me.

And I mean, cooked me! He was very serious about what he was doing.

Robinsons tale captures the iconic drive and intensity MJ brought even to practice.

Its a sharp contrast to @satire-free celebrity reps.

Meanwhile, Michelle Obama was laying down truth about pay and respect for athletes who fought just as hard, but didnt get the same break.

Through it all, the Obamas show two sides of greatness: Craigs hustle under pressure, and Michelles push for fairness in the fight for equal pay and legacy.

Between courthouses and courtside, they bring heart to headlines.

Democratic Presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama celebrates his victory over Republican nominee John McCain with his wife Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia Obama during an Election Night victory celebration at Chicagos Grant Park on Nov.

4, 2008..

This article has been shared from the original article on yardbarker, here is the link to the original article.