Hey North Texas,

Good news: For the first time in WNBA history, the league generated enough money to trigger its revenue-sharing agreement with its players. 🎉 The 13 teams will receive a total of $8 million to be dispersed among players, according to their union reps. With some quick math, this looks like around $40,000 per player. 

That may not seem like much, but let’s remember that WNBA players often make salaries similar to those of middle-class Americans. Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers made less than $79,000 last year after being the No. 1 draft pick. Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell is the highest league earner at a $249,000 base. In comparison, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry made more than $59 million last season, and that doesn’t include endorsements. 😳

Women’s equity in sports has a long way to go, but this history revenue share in the WNBA is the first step to a changing landscape. Congratulations to all the people who have fought for this over the decades! I interviewed one of those women last year, and she’s from good ‘ol Dallas. To read her interview and learn more about pay equity and women’s sports, check out the article here. 

The Oak Cliff Cinco de Mayo parade has been happening for 30 years. (Joi Louviere/ COURIER DFW)

By Sam Cohen

Oak Cliff’s Cinco de Mayo parade has been a local tradition for decades. As the founder and event coordinator for Oak Cliff Arts, Sylvana Alonzo, told NBC 5, “I have parents coming up to me and say[ing] I was in the parade 30 years ago, and now my kid’s in the parade! It’s a tradition.” Now, though, that tradition—which honors the Battle of Puebla and also celebrates Dallas’s vibrant Mexican culture—has officially been canceled. Last week it was announced that the parade, which was scheduled to take place on May 3, would no longer happen. Alonzo blamed a lack of funding.

“It’s the economy, period. I’ve spoken to several businesses on Jefferson, they are feeling it, and they’re feeling it, and it’s the climate and the economy, period.” She noted that Oak Cliff struggled to receive financial support from the city of Dallas to help cover the $60,000 needed to throw the parade last year as well, though it went on as planned. She acknowledges that it’s a steep price tag, but says that, “We used to get thousands in in-kind support, which means blocking the streets, and that’s pricing, and that’s like $20,000 right there.”

Portions are large and the food is flavorful at Cupbop. (Joi Louviere/COURIER DFW)

I recently stumbled upon Cupbop while driving to an event—balloons and bright new signage catching my eye as I rushed past. I knew I had to go back. Hours later, after failing to write down the name or location, I somehow found it again. And if little moments like that can be written in the stars, this one certainly was: It turned out to be the store’s grand opening, and they were offering two-for-one deals on their Korean barbecue bowls. Score!

As you might expect, it was busy. But someone I assumed was the owner greeted me immediately and explained the store’s concept. To fill your “cup,” which is really a bowl, you pick two proteins and a spice level. The bowl also comes with rice, cabbage mix, and sweet potato glass noodles. You can also make it a meal, which includes a drink and a side. Sides range from potstickers to dessert, and, at this location, a two-piece order of fried wings tossed in a sauce of your choice. 

With the deal, I ended up trying three different proteins: BBQ beef, BBQ chicken called “Krunch,” and a tangy fried chicken option called “Rock.” I also took advantage of the wings side and got them with Seoul sauce, which was sweet and tangy.

When my order was ready, I was amazed by how much food I got. If not starving, two people could share one bowl, and now I had two! But, you know, for the sake of my newsletter audience, I was going to power through, of course. 😉 Everything was delicious, fresh, and hot off the grill. I really liked the wings, as they were fried hard and really flavorful. 

I’m always looking for an affordable meal to share with y’all, and this place has great options. If you just get the bowl alone, it’s around $12, including tax. The meal deal would bring you to about $16. Um, 2018, is that you? If you love this concept, you might also love that it all started with two guys in a food truck. Now they have locations across the country, and Mansfield is their first in DFW. Next time you’re in the area, try it for yourself (and bring an empty stomach!)

Don’t Sleep On is a weekly series where I shout out DFW events and businesses I think you should try. Have a suggestion? Reply to this email.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Joi Louviere with reporting by Sam Cohen. It was edited by Kimberly Lawson.

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