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Noir Nation, the WNBA All-Star Game wasn’t all about scores and signature plays—this year, it turned into a powerful protest as the ladies demand to be paid their worth!
Before tip-off, all 22 All-Star players came together as a unit wearing black T-shirts with the message: “Pay Us What You Owe Us.”
The movement is a direct callout to the WNBA’s league executives as contract negotiations around the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) reach a critical point—with players demanding a fair share of league revenue.
💪🏾 “It Was a Very Powerful Moment”
Though some fans assumed it was a team-wide stunt, even WNBA Players Association Vice President Kelsey Plum admitted the execution was more impromptu than planned—but it still hit hard.
“It was a very powerful moment,” said Plum. “We didn’t know that was going to happen… but seeing it unfold gave me chills.”
💵 Fans Echo the Message: “Pay Them!”
During the post-game ceremony, MVP Napheesa Collier took the mic, but fans took it from there—erupting into chants of “Pay them!”
“The fans making that chant… gave me chills,” Collier told ESPN.
📝Here’s What The Players Want
At the heart of the protest is revenue sharing. Currently, WNBA players receive less than 10% of league revenue, compared to the 50% share that NBA players enjoy.
The league is experiencing massive growth—valuations of some franchises have skyrocketed from $10 million to nearly $500 million, and media deals have never been bigger. But the pay still isn’t matching the progress.
Players are demanding:
Greater revenue share Improved salaries Family and parental benefits More investment into player health and marketing
The current CBA expires October 31, 2025, and players are signaling they are ready to push back or even walk away if the new terms aren’t equitable.
🏀 Commissioner Responds—But Will It Be Enough?
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert called the protest “expected” and says she remains optimistic about “transformative” negotiations. But the message from the players is clear: No more patience. No more waiting.
With growing fan support, licensed “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts, and media buzz, the league might be facing a historic turning point.
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