CHICAGO, IL – When Stacey King, the outspoken former Chicago Bulls center and a three-time NBA champion, speaks, the basketball world tends to listen. King, now a beloved color commentator known for his candid assessments, recently plunged into the heart of the WNBA’s most talked-about controversy: a simmering feud involving Las Vegas Aces All-Star guard Kelsey Plum, the Indiana Fever’s transcendent rookie Caitlin Clark, and the now-infamous “Pay Us” t-shirts.

The genesis of this story lies with Caitlin Clark, arguably the most electrifying rookie the WNBA has ever seen. Following a record-smashing collegiate career at Iowa, Clark was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. Her arrival has not only drawn consistent sellout crowds but has also directed millions of new eyeballs to the league, sending television ratings and merchandise sales soaring to unprecedented heights. Almost overnight, the Indiana Fever transformed from perennial also-rans into compelling, must-see television.

Yet, it appears not everyone within the WNBA has been entirely thrilled by this newfound spotlight or Clark’s highly lucrative endorsement deals. Enter the Las Vegas Aces, the league’s reigning superteam, and their fiery All-Star guard, Kelsey Plum. This season, Aces players began wearing “Pay Us” t-shirts during warmups and news conferences—a visible protest advocating for higher salaries and more equitable revenue sharing for WNBA athletes. Plum, never one to shy away from expressing her opinions, reportedly made what many observers perceived as a subtle yet pointed dig at Clark, subtly suggesting that while the rookie was significantly boosting her personal income through endorsements, veteran players and league pioneers remained vastly underpaid relative to the league’s growing revenue.

It was at this juncture that the simmering tensions truly boiled over, prompting Stacey King to vocally weigh in on a feud that has since divided basketball fans nationwide.

Stacey King: “This Ain’t It, Kelsey!”

Appearing on a popular hoops podcast, Stacey King pulled no punches in characterizing Plum’s actions as both “petty” and “counterproductive.” King, whose own career saw him navigate both the intense spotlight and the daily grind as a key role player on Michael Jordan’s legendary Chicago Bulls teams, expressed sympathy for the ongoing fight for higher WNBA wages but firmly asserted that Plum’s t-shirt protest, particularly when accompanied by implied criticism of Clark, was fundamentally misdirected.

“Listen, I get the frustration. You want to get paid. Every player in every sport wants to be paid their worth. But you don’t get there by throwing shade at the person bringing money into your league! Caitlin Clark isn’t the problem—she’s the catalyst!” King thundered mid-show, his trademark bravado and passion for the game on full display.

King drew a compelling historical parallel, likening Clark’s transformative effect on the WNBA to the profound impact that iconic players like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had on the struggling NBA in the late 1970s. “When those guys came in, the NBA exploded. Ratings, sponsorships—everyone got paid, in time. You uplift the stars who move the needle! You don’t alienate them,” he passionately argued.

He continued, addressing the Aces directly: “Kelsey Plum and those Aces—y’all are great players, two-time champs. But if anything, you should be thanking Caitlin Clark for putting more eyes on the game, making it possible for those checks to get bigger!”

A Nuanced Debate Over Fairness and Progress

Naturally, Plum’s supporters counter King’s argument by asserting her right to demand a fairer pay structure within the WNBA. With rookies like Clark now reportedly earning significantly more from endorsements than some established veterans make in annual salary, a legitimate question arises: will seasoned stars truly see their long-awaited payday, or will the new generation of talent disproportionately reap all the financial benefits of the league’s growth?

“Clark deserves her flowers, but we built this!” Plum reportedly stated after donning a ‘Pay Us’ shirt before a nationally televised game. She added, “We want to grow the pie for all—not just for one.” This sentiment reflects a desire for collective benefit rather than individual accolades.

Yet, to some observers, the optics of established stars publicly challenging or showing perceived resentment towards new, impactful talent feels more like internal division than unified solidarity. This internal friction comes at a crucial time for the WNBA, as it seeks to capitalize on its burgeoning popularity.

Several prominent NBA stars also weighed in on social media, with many, including LeBron James, advocating for unity and collective bargaining rather than players “calling out each other for the world to see.” James famously tweeted, “Lift each other up. The money comes when you all win—together.”

The History: WNBA Salaries in the Spotlight

The “Pay Us” movement itself highlights a long-standing tension within women’s basketball regarding player compensation. For decades, WNBA players have tirelessly fought for better salaries, frequently pointing to the multi-billion-dollar revenues generated by the NBA and lamenting their own comparatively capped earning potential. Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the maximum WNBA salary is reportedly just over $250,000—a mere fraction of what NBA stars command.

However, the “Clark effect” offers a tangible new hope for accelerated financial growth. Nielsen recently reported that WNBA game viewership more than doubled in 2024, a surge largely attributed to Clark’s undeniable stardom and drawing power. Furthermore, Indiana Fever jersey sales have surged dramatically, ticket prices for games have soared, and league sponsorships have reportedly hit all-time highs, signaling a significant economic uplift directly tied to her presence.

“This is a moment. WNBA players should ride the wave—not fight the tide,” King continued, succinctly calling Clark “the tide that raises all boats” within the league.

Media and Fans Fuel the Fire

Sports talk shows and ESPN pundits swiftly moved to analyze King’s provocative comments. Some agreed with his perspective, echoing sentiments such as Stephen A. Smith’s observation that “the pie gets bigger when the stars shine brightest.” Others, however, accused King of “protecting the golden goose rather than supporting grassroots equality,” suggesting he was downplaying the historical struggles of veteran WNBA players.

Social media, as predictably as ever, was ablaze. Clark fans rejoiced at King’s outspoken support, while other users accused him of “minimizing years of struggle” endured by original (OG) WNBA players. Hashtags like #PayUs and #StandWithClark trended in parallel, vividly highlighting the generation-gap fissures and cultural divisions now cleaving the league.

The Solution? Stacey King’s Call for Unity

King concluded his podcast appearance with a powerful plea for common cause and unified action: “Don’t lose the message in the moment. Of course, you want higher pay. But don’t use someone else’s shine to throw shade. Don’t let pettiness eclipse progress. Want to get paid? Build together. That’s how real dynasties do it.”

His argument holds historical weight. The NBA’s current mega-salaries were not built overnight. They were the result of decades of strategic growth, largely accelerated because iconic figures like Bird, Magic Johnson, and later Michael Jordan made the league utterly irresistible—for both passionate fans and lucrative sponsors alike. Players in previous eras collectively harnessed that momentum, successfully fighting for bigger slices of an ever-growing financial pie.

Now, the WNBA is arguably poised for its own significant leap forward. Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Plum, and Stacey King—three distinctive voices representing different eras of professional basketball—find themselves at a critical juncture. If they can collectively lock arms and work in harmony as effectively as they play or commentate, the significant payday everyone in the WNBA desires might finally be within realistic reach.

For now, expect the “Pay Us” shirts to remain a prominent feature, the debate to stay white-hot, and Stacey King to continue speaking his mind—whether everyone likes it or not.