Former US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has backed players of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) who are currently in the midst of protesting better pay.
During the WNBA All-Star weekend (July 19-20), each player from Team Clark and Team Collier wore t-shirts with the message “Pay us what you owe us” for the warm ups.
This comes following a breakdown in discussions between the Women’s National Basketball Player’s Association (WNBPA) and the league over a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), with the deadline set to expire in October this year.
WNBA players were reportedly dissatisfied with the latest proposal by the WNBA which was tabled on July 17. Players are seeking greater salaries reflective of the league’s significant growth which has transpired over the last two years.
The players’ concerns centre around better salary, improved player benefits, a more flexible salary cap and a revenue-sharing model which would better incentivise the players.
According to ESPN Reporter Kendra Andrews, leading figures from the WNBPA met on the morning of July 19 to finalise the decision to wear the “Pay us what you owe us” t-shirts in a sign of solidarity and shared belief over the cause.
Clinton, a staunch advocate for women’s rights, shared a picture of All-Stars Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum in support of the protest, stating: “Everyone watches women’s sports – and the players should be paid what they’re owed. I stand with the WNBPA and everyone else fighting for equal pay.”
Is the player’s stance valid?
Since the WNBA’s first season in 1997, the league has failed to turn a profit and continues to receive funding from the NBA.
While the NBA’s investment of $15m-per-year has coincided with the significant growth of the WNBA, in relation to live attendances, viewership and overall interest, the league is still yet to turnover a profit despite generating upwards of $200m in 2024.
Players such as Clark and Angel Reese have greatly contributed to the recent success of the league and are calling for greater salaries reflective of their status.
Reese spoke out about her current $74,900 salary for the 2025 season, stating in October 2024 “the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all. I don’t even think it pays one of my bills. Literally”.
The average WNBA salary is $102,249, according to Spotrac. In comparison, the average NBA salary just recently rose to £13m. However, many will argue NBA players make more salary on average due to the league amassing significantly more revenue, with the league making almost $13bn during the 2024/25 season.
Future outlook
Following the recent protests, WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike believes the demonstration will act as a vehicle to start “rolling the ball on things” with the league on a new CBA.
“I’m just so inspired by the amount of players that showed up, the engagement that was there,” said Ogwumike.
“That’s really what it’s all about. Because the more that happens, the more that we’re going to be able to get things done. I think today we’re going to be able to use this conversation to start rolling the ball on things.”
The deadline to come to an agreement on a new CBA is set for October, and if a deal is not agreed by then, there is a possibility the 2026 season could be shortened in what is otherwise known as a ‘lockout season’.
This is not uncommon within basketball. The last lockout season in the NBA happened during the 2011/12, which saw a 161 day delay to the start of the season as NBA players and owners sought for a greater share of league revenue. This resulted in a new CBA which saw player salaries decrease from 57% to 49%-51% of league revenue.
With WNBA players such as Reese and Napheesa Collier alluding to the potential of a lockout season if a new CBA is not signed in October, the 2026 WNBA season could be shortened.
