Former WNBA star Gabby Williams’ overseas debut in Türkiye came to a dramatic halt Wednesday night after spectators threw fireworks onto the court.
Williams, who sensationally left the WNBA after criticizing Caitlin Clark’s earnings and the league’s salary structure this week, joined Turkish team Fenerbahce SK after canceling her recent stint with the Seattle Storm.
However, on her debut for Fenerbahce, the French-American power forward had to be carried to safety with her teammates and the opposition when fans in attendance began launching fireworks onto the pitch.
In terrifying scenes during the first quarter of their FIBA Super Cup clash against Besiktas, referees had no choice but to stop play after pyrotechnics were launched in their direction.
Former WNBA star Gabby Williams’ overseas debut in Türkiye dramatically halted
Williams sensationally left the WNBA after criticizing the league’s salary structure this week
Williams was seen worried as the Fenerbahce stars were instructed to return to the dressing room amid fears for their safety.
Fortunately, no players or officials were injured by the fireworks, but play did not resume Wednesday night and will instead restart Thursday with the same time and score as when it was stopped.
Williams and Fenerbahce led 4-2 at the time of the interruption.
The former Seattle player made headlines earlier this week with her surprising rant about salaries in the WNBA, which she claims are far below what players like Clark truly deserve.
The Indiana Fever sensation helped the WNBA enjoy record viewership numbers and a huge increase in attendance this season, although her rookie year also included accusations of harassment and racial privilege.
Williams recently criticized WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for comments she made about the earning potential of the league’s players.
Engelbert previously claimed that WNBA players can earn up to $700,000 a year, but Williams insisted, “That’s not true at all.” “There’s not a single player who does that.”
But his debut for Turkish team Fenerbahce was cut short after fireworks were launched on the pitch.
The match officials could be seen wincing in pain as spectators launched pyrotechnics from the stands.
The 28-year-old, a first-round pick by the Chicago Sky in 2018, added: “They promised us team marketing deals and league marketing deals, but they fell pretty short.”
“So for us international players, it is still not enough for us to want to stay here. And that is a choice for the players.
“If I make the decision to make more money, whatever, and then the teams get mad because I don’t come back, but that’s what it is.”
A Clark fan later pointed out that the Indiana Fever star’s earnings had surpassed $700,000 during his rookie season. That’s despite the fact that her base salary in the WNBA is only $76,000.
Williams criticized the WNBA for underpaying stars like Caitlin Clark (pictured) this week
Williams responded to the fan on social media, insisting she was referring only to pay from the WNBA, not money earned through endorsements and other outside deals..
“Clark makes $70,000 in the WNBA,” Williams said. “So I know all these Caitlin Clark fans are saying, ‘Caitlin Clark makes $700,000.’
“That’s unsupported… to everyone who says ‘leave the country if you’re not happy in America,’ I did.”