WNBA: Players Demand Fair Pay at All-Star. New Era in the League?

The WNBA All-Star Weekend: A Call for Pay Equity

The WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis became a turning point, marked by a silent but powerful protest that resonated throughout the basketball world. The players, led by the president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), Nneka Ogwumike, used the stage to demand greater pay equity. The initiative, which began with a closed-door meeting, culminated in a unified gesture during the All-Star game: the players wore black t-shirts with the phrase “Pay Us What You Owe Us” (Páguenos lo que nos deben). This clear and concise message reflected the players’ frustration with the salary disparity, especially at a time of exponential growth in the league.

Before the WNBA All-Star game in Indianapolis, all the players on the court, including A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young, wore shirts that said: “Pay us what we are owed.”

“We see the growth of the league and, as it is, the current salary system is not paying us what we are owed,” Ogwumike stated after the game.

Nneka Ogwumike

The decision to protest was unanimous among the players, who sought a clear and unified message. The idea of using t-shirts came from conversations in the executive council and spread to the All-Stars. The solidarity of the players was undeniable. The message was a resounding success, generating debate and support both inside and outside the world of sport. The event served as a reminder of the importance of pay equity and the value of the players in the growth of the league. The WNBPA’s main goal was to get as many players as possible to participate in the in-person negotiation session with the league and to use the game’s stage to have the greatest possible impact. The protest occurred after an in-person negotiation session with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and other league members. The meeting, described by some players as a “missed opportunity,” sought to demonstrate the strength of unity. The idea of making a statement at the All-Star Game was conceived long before the players arrived in Indianapolis. The players’ message continued after the game, when Brittney Sykes displayed a sign that read “Pay the players” during televised interviews on the court and when Commissioner Cathy Engelbert presented the All-Star MVP award.

The players want an explanation as to why the rapid increases in franchise valuations, for example, the Las Vegas Aces were purchased for $2 million in 2021 but are now valued at $310 million, according to Forbes, while recent expansion fees are around $250 million after the Golden State Valkyries paid $50 million in October 2023, cannot generate greater revenue that is then returned to them. The WNBA regular season resumed on Tuesday with 10 teams in action. Basketball continued, as usual. But all eyes for the next three months will be fixed on what happens behind the scenes. The players expressed their frustration that Thursday’s meeting, likely the last chance to bring so many players around the negotiating table, did not produce more progress as the collective bargaining agreement deadline expires.