Social media has dropped a harsh truth bomb on the players who wore “Pay Us What You Owe Us” t-shirts at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, a list that included Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson.
Before Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game, the participants warmed up with the viral “Pay Us What You Owe Us” t-shirts. When Collier was awarded game MVP honors, fans at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse screamed out “pay them” chants.
“PAY THEM!”
Fans letting the league know after the WNBA All-Star Game 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/fjk4M5yWLP
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 20, 2025
“That was a powerful moment,” Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum said after the game, per ESPN’s Kendra Andrewsand Alexa Philippou. “We didn’t, at least as players, we didn’t know that was going to happen. So it was a genuine surprise. Those chants tonight, those signs, it just shows that as players, we are united, but the fans are united in believing what we’re seeking.”
But as many folks pointed out on X/Twitter, raising the players’ salaries would unfortunately put the WNBA in a greater financial bind. In 2024, the league lost a whopping $40 million despite increased attendance, ticket sales and TV ratings via the “Caitlin Clark effect.”
Nobody wants the WNBA to succeed more than me but wearing “pay us what you owe us” t-shirts in the middle of CBA negotiations when the league operated at a $40 million loss last year and has never been profitable is peak delusion pic.twitter.com/FOuikrYkwE
— Jared Smith (@jaredsmithbets) July 20, 2025
In 2025, the WNBA lost 40 million
That means, if each player “paid what they are owed”, each WNBA player would owe $277,778.
Be careful what you wish for. pic.twitter.com/g64JgbDo52
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) July 20, 2025
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Amazing opportunity for the WNBA commissioner to be like:
“OK, deal. You lost us $40 million last year, each of you owe us $231K” https://t.co/E9YK4AW9JX
— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) July 20, 2025
The WNBA lost 40 Million last year! They owe the owners 40 million! pic.twitter.com/StcRlbNh3U
— Sam Tripoli (@samtripoli) July 20, 2025
If there was an ideal time for the players to spread the message about a pay raise, it was definitely at the WNBA All-Star Game. But the harsh reality is that the players won’t get much of a raise until/unless the league becomes profitable.
Having young stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers and Sonia Citron certainly helps that long-term goal, though.
Team Collier Defeated Team Clark At 2025 WNBA All-Star Game
Clark was sidelined from the All-Star weekend with an injury, and the team she captained certainly could have used her presence. Team Collier cruised to a 151-131 blowout victory, led by Collier’s 36-point outing.
