INDIANAPOLIS – The atmosphere at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game was electric, a perfect reflection of a league enjoying unprecedented growth and sky-high popularity. But beneath the surface of the sold-out crowd and on-court spectacle, a serious and high-stakes showdown is brewing. The league’s biggest stars, led by a new generation of icons including Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers, are standing united in a demand for fair pay, a more equitable revenue model, and a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that reflects the league’s burgeoning financial success.

The tension became publicly palpable during pre-game warmups when every player on Team Clark and Team Collier wore black t-shirts with a powerful message emblazoned in white lettering: “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” This unified protest was a direct response to a contentious meeting that had taken place just two days earlier, where players and league officials failed to make significant progress on a new CBA. The visual statement, seen by a massive television audience and a sold-out arena, was a powerful reminder that while the on-court product is thriving, the behind-the-scenes negotiations are far from resolved.

The current CBA, which was hailed as a groundbreaking deal when it was signed in 2020, allowed the players’ union to opt out early, a clause they exercised last October. This move came at a pivotal moment, as the league has seen a dramatic increase in its business metrics. Attendance and television viewership have reached new heights, and the league is set to embark on a historic 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal starting in 2026. This new influx of revenue, along with a significant $75 million capital raise in 2022 and record-breaking expansion fees, has provided players with the leverage they need to demand a more significant share of the profits they helped create.

The heart of the dispute lies in the revenue-sharing model. Under the current agreement, players receive an estimated 9.3% of the league’s revenue. This pales in comparison to their male counterparts in the NBA, who receive a revenue split of roughly 49-51%. WNBA players are not asking for equal pay to the NBA, a league that has been in existence for decades longer and operates on a vastly different financial scale. Instead, they are demanding an equal revenue-sharing model that would see their salaries and benefits grow proportionally with the league’s success.

The salary figures for some of the league’s most popular players starkly illustrate the issue. Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick and the undeniable engine of the league’s growth, signed a four-year contract totaling $338,056, averaging out to about $84,514 per year. Angel Reese, another fan favorite and a major driver of ratings and merchandise sales, signed a similar four-year deal totaling $324,383. These salaries, while respectable, are a far cry from the millions their male counterparts earn and are dwarfed by the millions both players made from NIL deals in college. This disparity is a key point of contention and a major source of frustration for the players.

The WNBPA, led by president Nneka Ogwumike, has been vocal about its desire for a “transformational” CBA. Players are seeking not only a significant increase in player compensation, but also improved travel conditions, better health benefits, and more robust family planning benefits. The union’s initial proposal, sent to the league in February, was met with a lukewarm response that some players, including Phoenix Mercury star Satou Sabally, called a “slap in the face.” The league’s initial counter-proposal, which reportedly included fixed salary caps that did not scale with league revenue, further hardened the players’ resolve.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has maintained an optimistic stance, stating that the league wants to “significantly increase their salary and benefits” while balancing the owners’ ability to have a path to profitability. However, the players’ union is holding firm, with stars like Angel Reese publicly stating, “We’re not gonna stop until we get what we want.” The union has even warned that a work stoppage is a possibility if a deal cannot be reached by the October 31 deadline, a move that would be a first for the league since its inception in 1997.

The involvement of the league’s most popular young players—Clark, Reese, and Bueckers—has given the union unprecedented leverage. These players, who have been central to the league’s surge in viewership and attendance, have a massive and loyal following that is also invested in seeing them succeed financially. For the first time, a large group of players, including these young stars, met face-to-face with the league, a sign of their commitment and unity.

As the negotiations continue, the future of the WNBA hangs in the balance. The outcome will not only determine the financial well-being of its players but will also set a precedent for women’s sports for years to come. With a new media deal on the horizon and a business model that is proving to be more successful than ever, the players are making it clear that they are no longer willing to accept a deal that doesn’t reflect their value. The “Pay Us What You Owe Us” message is more than just a slogan—it’s a declaration of a new era, and the league is now on notice.