“Pay Us What You Owe Us”: WNBA All-Stars Make a Unified Statement at Center Court

On one of the WNBA’s brightest stages — the All-Star Game — the players delivered a powerful off-court message that echoed louder than any buzzer-beater: “Pay us what you owe us.”

Before Saturday night’s game tipped off, every member of Team Clark and Team Collier took the court wearing bold black warmup shirts bearing those six words. It was a visible, unified demand for fair treatment — and a rallying cry for change.

A Movement Born in the Locker Room

The decision to wear the shirts wasn’t a league initiative. It was a grassroots player-driven demonstration, born during a players-only meeting on Saturday morning. The timing was intentional: with national attention on the All-Star Game, the athletes used their spotlight to amplify a message that’s been building behind closed doors for months.

“We get a very tiny percentage of all the money that’s made through the WNBA,” said Napheesa Collier, an All-Star and vocal leader in the players’ movement. “That money is made through the entertainment we provide. So we want a fair and reasonable percentage of that.”

The CBA Stalemate

The protest comes amid a growing divide between WNBA players and league executives. Just days before the All-Star Game, the two sides met in person to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) — but failed to reach a deal.

Players had already opted out of their previous agreement back in October, signaling dissatisfaction with the current structure, which includes:

• A low revenue-sharing model that leaves players with a small cut of league earnings

• Salary caps and pay scales that remain far below comparable men’s leagues

• Calls for improved benefits, travel conditions, and off-season protections

After Thursday’s unsuccessful talks, many players expressed frustration, saying the league’s counteroffers fell dramatically short of expectations.

A Show of Unity — and a Warning

The players’ message didn’t go unnoticed. During the game, fans in the arena held up signs reading “Pay the players” and broke out in chants of “Pay them!” near the final buzzer. Even players were surprised by the spontaneous show of support.

“We had no idea that they were in solidarity with our demonstration,” said Nneka Ogwumike, president of the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association). “I’ve been hearing it all weekend at the fan events — supporting us and wanting us to get our fair share of the value.”

This All-Star gathering may be the last time many top players are together before the season ends, which made the timing even more crucial. As Courtney Williams said, “You put it out there, and you stand on business. And we’re standing on business.”

What’s Next? A Walkout on the Horizon?

The situation is growing more urgent. If no agreement is reached by October, players may begin preparing for a potential walkout — something that stars like Angel Reese and Collier have already suggested could be on the table.

The shirts — which are now on sale for fans, per a surprise announcement by the players’ union — could become a symbol of the season’s second half. It remains to be seen whether players will continue to wear them during league games, but the sentiment is already taking root among fans and players alike.

Why It Matters

While the WNBA has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years — thanks in part to rising stars like Caitlin Clark and increased media attention — players say the economic model hasn’t caught up with the product they’re putting on the court.

The All-Star protest wasn’t just about salaries. It was about recognition, respect, and equity — and a warning that the league’s top talent is no longer willing to be quiet about their worth.

As Ogwumike summed it up: “This is a perfect opportunity to raise awareness for what we’re doing — and do it together.”