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The WNBA stars that participated in the stars game on Saturday night took a message on their shirts during heating aimed at the League officials in the middle of the tense conversations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Each WNBA star, including the Indiana fever sniper, Caitlin Clark, who was on the sidelines for the game, wore the shirt. The clothing also presented the logo of the National Basketball Basketball Association (WNBPA) under the message.
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Caitlin Clark by Indiana Fover observes the All-Star basketball game of the WNBA, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The shirts said: “Pagan what you owe us.” However, the message did not seem to resonate on social networks.
The president of WNBPA, Nneka Ogwumike, praised the players to use their platform.
“I am so inspired by the number of players that appeared, the commitment that was there,” he said. “That’s what really is about. Because the more we happen, the more we can do things. I think we can use this conversation today to start shooting the ball about things.”
Players have argued that the business has been booming for the League and deserves an increase in salaries because of that. The WNBA was part of a new $ 2.2 billion rights agreement that will begin next season and, with the league planning to expand to 18 teams by 2030, the new franchises are paying an expansion rate of $ 250 million.
Aliyah Boston from Indiana Fover shoots before the WNBA All-Star basketball game, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The WNBA stars send a message to the league before the All-Star game in the midst of the contentious CBA negotiations
The New York Post reported last year that it was projected that the League would lose $ 40 million during season 2024. The new media rights agreement is expected to bring at least an increase of $ 100 million of what the League was making in its current rights agreement, which the report said it was approximately $ 60 million in 2024.
Even through the contest, the WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, said on Saturday night it was optimistic that an agreement would be made.
“I am still really optimistic that we will do something that is transformative,” he said. “And that, next year at All-Star, we will be talking about how good everything is. Obviously there is a lot of hard work to do on both sides to get there.”
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks during a press conference before the WNBA All-Star basketball game, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The current CBA will expire on October 31.
