WNBA Players Protest Pay Demands During 2025 All-Star Game Amid CBA Standoff

During the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, players united in protest by wearing black shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Pay Us What You Owe Us," signaling their frustration with ongoing, stalled collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. The players, led by the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, seek a substantial increase in their share of league revenue, currently around 9–10%, which contrasts sharply with NBA players who receive nearly half of their league's revenue. Despite rising media rights deals, attendance, and new expansion teams, the WNBA has operated at a loss since its inception, complicating players' demands amid financial challenges. League commissioner Cathy Engelbert described recent talks as constructive, but players and union leaders criticized the league's slow and insufficient counterproposals, particularly regarding revenue sharing and salary caps. The protest gained notable public support, exemplified by chants from a sold-out crowd and remarks from players like Kelsey Plum underscoring fan solidarity. With a late October deadline approaching, players have warned of a potential work stoppage if a fair CBA is not reached, marking a critical moment for the league's future.