We’re doing another edition of fintech player comps, but this time we are focused on the WNBA, which kicked off its 2025 season today.
A couple of quick notes:
- This is a completely silly and subjective exercise! There are no right or wrong answers (though I did spend quite a bit of time doing research for this project … I can’t help myself.) Please do not get offended by the comps!
- The players I picked are all active for this season. Unfortunately, this forced me to exclude the legendary Diana Taurasi. My apologies to the GOAT!
- I could not come up with a fair comp for Caitlin Clark, who is already a world-class professional hooper and possibly the most popular athlete in America. No fintech company is at her level.
Now let’s get to it.
Chime — A’ja Wilson
Plays with a patient relentlessness that wears down opponents. Oddly dependent on marketing spend to grow her brand. About to test her widespread commercial appeal (Chime’s IPO & Wilson’s first signature shoe).
Stripe — Sabrina Ionescu
Very popular among other professionals in her industry (Sabrina’s shoe is a huge hit with NBA players … Stripe is every fintech nerd’s favorite fintech company). Can accommodate playing with other stars. We suspect but don’t know if she can be the best player on a championship team.
Coinbase — Angel Reese
Tons of rebounds, but it feels like most of them are her own misses. Is she facilitating economic productivity, or is it all just closed-loop speculation? Thinks she’s the best player (not necessarily a bad attitude to have!) Her constant talking elicits strong feelings from others.
Knot — Paige Bueckers
Young, exciting connector with superstar upside. I’m personally biased in their favor (my employer is a small investor in Knot, and the Dallas Wings are one of the WNBA teams I root for).
(Editor’s Note — You want picks for today’s games? OK! Dream over Mystics. Sparks over Valkyries. And my bold pick is Wings over Lynx. I know this is stating the obvious, but nothing in Fintech Takes is ever gambling advice!)
PayPal — Breanna Stewart
Versatile. Dominant. Not inherently cool, but trying hard with the move to New York/stablecoins.
(Editor’s Note — The Liberty play at Barclays Center. Stewart isn’t super cool or charismatic, but I would never go so far as to compare her to Barclays!)
Circle — Chelsea Gray
A low turnover facilitator who has been a critical participant in the recent history of her industry. Isn’t making as much money as she should be (Circle’s distribution partnership with Coinbase is legit insane).
Plaid — Courtney Vandersloot
Invisible plumbing that makes every other product work better. Rarely makes mistakes. The more of the offense you run through her, the more value she provides. Her full-circle moment returning to the Chicago Sky this season mirrors (darkly) Plaid’s full-circle moment watching 1033 slide backwards.
Bilt — Arike Ogunbowale
Flashy, high-scoring style that seems to demand top-of-wallet status. Her game infuriates analytic types, and her penchant for risk isn’t always appealing to coaches.
Ramp — Alyssa Thomas
A focus on substance over style, results over appearances. Adored by the nerds. Watching her, you get the sense that she despises her flashier all-star peers.
Wise — Satou Sabally
Ultra-efficient, globally minded (Satou speaks multiple languages), and refreshingly transparent.
Cash App — Rhyne Howard
Beloved in Atlanta. A very good and versatile scorer, but needs to get stronger to deal with fraudsters/shot blockers.
In a nice coincidence, Cash App now sponsors the Atlanta Dream.
Fiserv — Tiffany Hayes
Old, to the point of retirement, but is trying to reinvent herself by focusing on Silicon Valley.
(Editor’s Note — The Valkyries is a great WNBA team name, and I really like the purple and black colors and the Bay Bridge logo. Well done!)
Rocket — Napheesa Collier
Vertically-integrated freight train who may be the best player in the league, but is still somehow underdiscussed and undervalued. Primed for an MVP season.
Collier’s coach, Cheryl Reeve, is the longest-tenured and most successful coach in WNBA history. This nicely mirrors Dan Gilbert, whose 40-year run at the top of Rocket has few parallels in modern financial services history.
Sardine — DiJonai Carrington
Quickly made the jump from unknown to All-Defense First Team. Annoying to the other team, additive to her team. Strong marketing and social media presence.
(Editor’s Note — I’m very hopeful that Carrington can help the Wings turn it around on defense this season without cramping their spacing too much on offense. We’ll see.)
Adyen — Jonquel Jones
Enterprise-grade reliability wrapped in absurd length. Not flashy, yet posts world-class efficiency on both ends. Has a proven track record of beating flashier, higher-profile peers when it matters.
SoFi — Kelsey Plum
I feel like arguing about Plum Dawg’s shot selection with her fans online is about as productive as arguing about SoFi’s unconventional financial reporting with SoFi bros online. You either like the audaciousness and non-conventional approach or you don’t.
Plus, SoFi Stadium is just down the road from where Plum and the Sparks will play this season.
