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WNBA stars, who attend Saturday night’s All-Star Game, had a message on their T-shirts during warm-ups aimed at league officials in the middle of Spente Collective Negotiation Agreement (CBA) lecture.
Each Wnba All-Star, including Indiana Fever Sharpshooter Caitlin Clark, which was sidelined to the game, wore the shirt. The clothing also contained the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) logo under the message.
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Indiana Fevers Caitlin Clark watches WNBA All-Star Basketball Game, Saturday 19 July 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The shirts read, “Pay us what you owe us.” However, the message did not seem to resonate across social media.
WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike praised the players for using their platform.
“I’m just so inspired by the amount of players who showed up, the commitment that was there,” she said. “That’s really what it’s all about. Because the more happens, the more we’ll be able to get things done. I think today we’ll be able to use this conversation to start rolling the ball on things.”
Players have claimed that the business has bloomed for the league and that they deserve an increase in wages because of it. WNBA was part of a new $ 2.2 billion rights agreement, starting next season, and with the league planning to expand to 18 teams by 2030, the new franchises pay an expansion fee of $ 250 million.
Indiana Fevers Aliyah Boston shoots before Wnba All-Star Basketball Game, Saturday 19 July 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
WNBA stars send message to the league before all-star game in the middle of disputed CBA negotiations
The New York Post reported last year that the league was expected to lose $ 40 million during the 2024 season. The new Media Law Agreement is expected to bring at least one $ 100 million increase from what the league made on its current rights agreement, the report said was about $ 60 million in 2024.
Even through the claim, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said on Saturday night that she was optimistic that an appointment would be made.
“I’m still really optimistic that we get something done that would be transformative,” she said. “And that, next year at All-Star, we’re talking about how amazing everything is. Obviously, there’s a lot of hard work to do on both sides to get there.”
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks during a news conference before WNBA All-Star Basketball Game, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The current CBA will expire on October 31st.
