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THE SPY WHO SIGNED ME
Nov 12, 2019
Professional basketball players Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird experience the lavish treatment in Russian basketball, but must reckon with the shadowy past of their benefactor. Topics include disappointments with low WNBA salaries, the challenges of transitioning between American and international basketball, and the mystery surrounding their benefactor's wealth and connections to Russian crime.
48:04
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Quick takeaways
- Playing overseas provided Sue Bird and Diana Tarasi with experiences and financial security that exceeded their expectations.
- Despite the mystery surrounding his past and connections to organized crime, Shabtai Kalmanovich's influence on women's basketball cannot be denied, making him a pivotal figure in the sport.
Deep dives
The allure of playing overseas for WNBA players
Sue Bird and Diana Tarasi, top athletes in the WNBA, signed up to play overseas during the off-season to capitalize on earning opportunities. The financial limitations of the WNBA, including a hard salary cap, made playing overseas more lucrative, with one Russian team offering Tarasi a contract worth around $200,000 for a season. Playing overseas provided them with experiences and financial security that exceeded their expectations.
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