WNBA: Stars Demand Fair Salaries with "Pay Us What You Owe Us"

WNBA Players Speak Out: “Pay What You Owe!”

Amidst the presentation of the MVP trophy of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game to Napheesa Collier, player for the Minnesota Lynx, the chants of “Pay them!” echoed in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, packed with over 16,000 spectators. A moment of great impact that reflected the growing demand from the players for better salaries and greater participation in the league’s revenue. The fans’ demonstration echoed the message that the players had expressed during Saturday night’s warm-ups, wearing black t-shirts with the slogan “Pay us what you owe us”. This collective action took place two days after a meeting between more than 40 players and the league, within the framework of the collective bargaining negotiations, where the expected progress was not achieved, a few months before the deadline at the end of October. Kelsey Plum, point guard for the Los Angeles Sparks, expressed her surprise and gratitude for the fans’ support. “We didn’t know this was going to happen. It’s a real surprise. Those chants, those banners, show that the players and fans are united in this cause.”

That moment was very powerful.
Kelsey Plum

Napheesa Collier, for her part, stated that the chants “gave her chills.” The players gathered in a closed-door meeting to decide the best way to convey their message clearly and concisely. “We wanted to do something united as a collective and I think it was a very powerful moment that conveyed the message,” said Plum. This is not the first time WNBA players have used their platform to speak out. In 2020, they supported the Black Lives Matter movement, and at the 2022 All-Star game, they played in jerseys for Brittney Griner, who was detained in Russia. The All-Star Weekend is the only time of year when all the league’s most outstanding players come together, making it the perfect setting to express their demands, especially after collective bargaining negotiations. The players’ exhibition overshadowed the game itself, and with the support of the public, they hope to put pressure on the league to move forward in negotiations. “The mission was accomplished because we created incredible awareness this weekend,” Plum said. The main point of conflict in the negotiations is the salary structure and revenue sharing. WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike explained that the league and the union propose different systems, with the league seeking a fixed percentage and the players aiming for “a better participation where our salaries grow with the business, and not just a fixed percentage”. With the notable growth of the WNBA in recent years, including a new media deal of $2.2 billion and expansion fees of $250 million, players are seeking a salary structure that grants them a larger share of the benefits they have helped generate.

We see the growth of the league and, as it is, the current salary system is not paying us what we deserve.
Nneka Ogwumike

The official “Pay us what you owe us” t-shirts are on sale to the public. Collier emphasized that the players are the engine of the league and deserve to be rewarded for their effort and dedication. With the second half of the WNBA season restarting on Tuesday, and a competitive playoff race on the horizon, players are looking to maintain the momentum generated in Indianapolis. Both Ogwumike and Commissioner Engelbert reiterated their optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement this year.