Why WNBA players are telling the league: 'Pay us what you owe us'

When the WNBA’s biggest stars took the court for the league’s All-Star game in Indianapolis on Saturday night, every player on the floor wore a black T-shirt adorned with white lettering sharing a simple message:“Pay Us What You Owe Us.”After a weekend of celebration for a league that continues to rise in popularity, the players’ message was a reminder that they are still looking for a stronger financial foothold in a league that falls far behind its contemporaries in regard to how the athletes are paid

When the WNBA’s biggest stars took the court for the league’s All-Star game in Indianapolis on Saturday night, every player on the floor wore a black T-shirt adorned with white lettering sharing a simple message:

“Pay Us What You Owe Us.”

After a weekend of celebration for a league that continues to rise in popularity, the players’ message was a reminder that they are still looking for a stronger financial foothold in a league that falls far behind its contemporaries in regard to how the athletes are paid.

Since the last collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and the players’ association was signed in 2020, the economics of the league have shifted rapidly.

From 2019 to 2023, the WNBA’s revenue increased from $102 million to $119 million, according to Bloomberg. That was before Caitlin Clark’s rookie season in 2024, which aided one of the most important years in league history. With Clark in tow, the WNBA set records for merchandise sales last year, and also had its most-watched regular season in 24 years.