Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay - HDIP provides a monetary incentive to Service members who volunteer to perform a duty designated as hazardous, based upon the inherent dangers of the duty and risks of physical injury. Source: Militarypaydefense.org
We broached the topic of hazardous duty incentive pay (HDIP) amongst a group of military Veterans and recorded a number of contradictory responses regarding its efficacy. Proponents of the incentive believed that the monetary bonus offsets the likelihood of personal harm, while detractors reported an exploitive loophole geared towards Troops experiencing economic challenges. Regardless the vantage point, all parties agreed that receiving bonus payments while deployed overseas was a phenomenal vocational blessing.
Last month we discussed the redeployment of Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) superstar Brittney Griner following her illegal detainment in a Russian penal colony. Legions of supporters lobbied for BG's safe return to American soil and a prevailing human rights movement was brought to fruition. Within days upon arriving home, the Olympian vowed to return to the Phoenix Mercury basketball courts for the 2023 WNBA season.
"I didn't want to leave my family to play overseas. At the time it was the only option." Former WNBA Athlete
As the news of Griner's detention spread across the digital airways, professional athletes were faced with a formidable civil rights conundrum. Was the risk to compete overseas worth the financial payoff? For WNBA players the answer appears multifaceted, yet critics often place the onus on athletes navigating such vocational hazards.
I believe that WNBA & NBA players deserve equal pay.
A. Absolutely. Why wouldn't they?
B. Nope. It won't work with basketball.
C. Hmm, it's complicated.
In May 2022, the US Soccer Federation announced a historic equal pay agreement between the women's and men's national teams, thereby closing the gender wage gap for competitors. Although studies report that the National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise boasts a $90 billion net worth accumulation, WNBA players are relegated to overseas play for offseason financial gain. If equal pay initiatives are beyond the scope of executive contemplation, perhaps a consideration for HDIP is justifiable as a show of good faith.
An equal pay collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and its sister counterpart is well overdue. Above all, we must remember the historical words of wisdom, "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Welcome to the MSM Peanut Gallery! Please take responsibility for your behavior as you enter this shared space. Keep conversations courteous and on-topic to foster productive, respectful communication. Review our Community Guidelines before posting.
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