The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game served as a platform for players to advocate for better compensation and revenue-sharing within the league. All participants from Team Clark and Team Collier donned warm-up shirts emblazoned with the message “Pay us what you owe us,” signaling their dissatisfaction with the current financial arrangements.
Napheesa Collier, a forward for Team Collier, articulated the players' concerns, highlighting that they receive a minimal share of the league's overall revenue, which she argues is generated largely through their performances. This demonstration arose after the players and league officials were unable to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) during an in-person meeting prior to the event. The players had previously opted out of their last CBA in October, seeking improved financial terms, including higher salaries and enhanced benefits, as well as a more favorable salary cap structure.
Following the game, the atmosphere in the arena was charged with support for the players, as chants of “Pay them!” resonated among fans, some of whom held signs advocating for fair pay. This situation underscores the urgency felt by the players, as many expressed concern that without a new CBA by October, they may consider a walkout.
Collier emphasized the significance of the All-Star Game as an opportunity to collectively raise awareness of their demands. While the players have not yet decided whether to continue wearing the shirts throughout the remainder of the season, the union announced during the game that the shirts would be available for fans to purchase, indicating a broader movement towards addressing these issues in women’s sports.