The 2025 WNBA All-Star Games lived up to expectations. Despite many top players missing the annual event, the game was high scoring and entertaining, with Team Colliers registering a 151-131 win over Team Clark. It was a high-scoring game, with elite skills and shooting displayed by the players. Amid this ‘fun-tainment’, one eye-catching moment was players’ warm-up t-shirts with “Pay Us What You Owe Us” written on them.
The CBA discussions are ongoing, and the meeting before the All-Star game was not fruitful, as per the players’ representatives. Every player, including the ones on the bench, supported the WNBPA by wearing the same T-shirts.
Fans React to WNBA Players’ Demands
The CBA was a hot topic since the end of the 2024 season. Players made their stance clear, threatening to boycott the 2026 season if their demands were not met. The new deal is expected to come into effect before the 2026 season, with the agreement reached between the league and the players’ association.
After the round of discussion, both parties have yet to reach a conclusion. Players constantly make their voices heard in public. On the other hand, Cathy Englebert, the WNBA Commissioner, assures them they will reach common ground. In the middle of all this, the players’ today’s protest act with “Pay Us What You Owe Us” T-shirts drew some adverse reactions. Some fans even highlighted the league losses over the years.
“$15 million per season owned to NBA,” a fan commented.
They owe the NBA money…. ~$15 million per year for their subsidies
— Loom of the Fruit (@bitcornucopia_) July 20, 2025
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A Fan found the request “Interesting”.
Another fan corrected the request and mentioned that “It should be Pay us what we are worth.”
What a horrible way to brand this effort…
— John Ziegler (@Zigmanfreud) July 20, 2025
It should be “Pay us what we are worth”…
Unless they are campaigning for handouts via extortion.
A fan enquired about the NBA’s payments, “When will they pay the NBA?”
When will they pay the NBA what they owe them?? This league would’ve gone bankrupt long ago without the NBA losing money to keep them afloat.
— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) July 20, 2025
Another fan trolled players, saying, “They skipped their economics classes.”
They skipped their economics classes.
— Jonathan Bowen (@BostonByBirth) July 20, 2025
A fan put forward a condition for a pay raise: “if they brought in more money.”
Maybe if they brought in more money.
— Derrik Behler (BEE-Ler) (@DPGBehler) July 20, 2025
Fans, staying neutral at the moment, just put forward their thoughts on players’ demands.
WNBA Is Still Facing Losses Despite Engagement Surge
Starting in 1996, the NBA funded the WNBA (National Basketball Association). Entering its 27th season, the league historically operated at a loss. According to the Washington Post, it averages about $10 million in losses per year. The inclusion of top NCAA players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and others saw a massive surge in ticket and merchandise sales. Yet, the league was collectively in the loss.
Per the NY Post, the WNBA lost around $40 million in 2024 alone despite the massive influx of fans and viewership. However, the recent broadcasting deal with Disney, Amazon, and NBCU has been an absolute savior for the ‘W’. Starting from 2026, the league will earn around $200 million per season. After years of losses, this is an excellent start for the ‘W’, but the investors want to see results.
“The WNBA owes the NBA so much that we won’t see any windfall for years,” an NBA team executive told the press.
Supporters of the game will look for a solution to the CBA so they can continue enjoying the WNBA’s growth and the new stars coming into the league in the coming years.
Also Read: WNBA Seeks Guidance From Nobel Prize-Winning Economist For CBA Negotiations