A picture is worth a thousand words. That’s what the WNBA players went for when they showed discontent with the ongoing CBA negotiations. WNBPA was not happy with the meeting during the All-Star break. The players entered the Gainbridge Fieldhouse arena with a ‘Pay Us What You Owe Us’ warm-up T-shirt.
The message was loud and clear and well received by the fans. As Kelsey Plum and Sabrina Ionescu faced the media, the All-Star post-game interview had to include a question about the T-shirt.
Sabrina Ionescu Reacts To Kelsey Plum’s Jab
After the successful 2025 WNBA All-Star game, the LA Sparks and New York Liberty guards were in front of the mic answering questions from the press. When asked about the ‘T-shirt,’ the 30-year-old guard took the initiative and clarified the idea behind it.
“As players, we didn’t know that was going to happen. So, I think it was kind of a genuine surprise. The T-shirt, just a united front, was determined this morning that we had a meeting for. Not to tattletale but zero members of Team Clark were very present for that,” Plum mentioned in the interview. (Via X/@ohnohedidnt24).
While there was laughter over her last statement, the Liberty star was unhappy with the comment. She smiled, shook her head, and quickly replied, “Not really needed to be mentioned.” The comment showed division within the players’ organization, and the reigning three-point shooting contest winner wanted to clear up any misunderstanding.
The Sparks’ guard smiled at it and added that she wanted to make the situation light. Later, she said that it was to get all the players on the same page and wanted to do this as a united and collective effort, showing their feelings towards the CBA negotiations. Fans might have different opinions about the T-shirt, but players remained united.
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Sabrina Ionescu And Players Stay United On CBA
Even though the four-time All-Star mentioned that no member of Team Clark was present for the meeting regarding the T-shirt, the league’s players are united. Team Clark players Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and even CC (even though she was on the bench) wore the T-shirt. Rookies like Paige Bueckers, Kiki Iriafen, and Sonia Citron, who played in their first All-Star game, wore the same T-shirt.
While the earlier meeting was ‘slap in the face’ for Satou Sabally, Ionescu added that the players are not going to settle for the minimum in the negotiations. Before the All-Star Weekend, the 28-year-old once again put forward her views on the CBA negotiations.
“[We were] able to listen to Cathy and her team on how they obviously want the best for us as well, and trying to kind of be able to figure out what that is. Obviously, they want to succeed just as much as we do, like we are trying to find a middle ground where both parties are happy,” the former University of Oregon star told the press.
WNBA players are ready to sit out if CBA negotiations with the league fall through. The current agreement expires at the end of October. Till now, players have expressed frustration with the league’s initial proposal, particularly regarding revenue sharing.
Also Read: Cathy Engelbert Responds To Fans’ ‘Pay Them’ Chants At WNBA All-Star Game