The WNBA community was stirred following a significant display at Saturday’s All-Star Game, where players wore matching
“Pay Us What You Owe Us”
warm-up shirts in support of ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. However, Kelsey Plum’s remarks involving Caitlin Clark drew criticism and ignited tension among fans.
Plum’s comments during a postgame press conference appeared to indirectly criticize Clark and her teammates for not participating fully in the unity gesture, which many viewed as an unnecessary slight. This led to a wave of negative responses directed at Plum on social media, highlighting the sensitivity of the moment.
Kelsey Plum Criticizes Caitlin Clark’s Team Presence in Warm-Up Shirt Protest
The players’ decision to wear the
“Pay Us What You Owe Us”
shirts marked a bold statement in the context of stalled CBA talks, aiming to underscore their demand for fair compensation. Plum reflected on how the team’s collective action unfolded, noting her surprise at the spontaneity of it.
“That was a very powerful moment,” Plum told reporters. “We didn’t, at least as players, we didn’t know that that was gonna happen. So I think it was kind of like a genuine surprise.
“But the T-shirt, just united front, was determined this morning that we had a meeting for. Not to tattletale, but zero members of Team Clark were very present for that.”
Despite the lack of public response from Clark herself, her supporters expressed strong disapproval online. The apparent division among players contrasted with the broader goal of player solidarity during the negotiation process.
Halftime Tension: Plum’s Comments During All-Star Game Amplify Division
During the halftime interview on ESPN with Holly Rowe, Kelsey Plum took a more direct approach in expressing confidence in her team’s dominance over Clark’s squad. Napheesa Collier’s team established a commanding lead early on and maintained it throughout the game.
“I’m just playing hard,” Plum said. “We want to blow them out. We’re a lot better than them. I hate to say it. … So, we’re just having fun with it.”
The exhibition contest ended with Team Collier securing a 151-131 victory. Plum played a key role by scoring 15 points, pulling down five rebounds, and distributing three assists. Caitlin Clark was unable to participate due to a right groin injury sustained days earlier in a game against the New York Liberty.
Ultimately, despite the controversy stemming from Plum’s remarks, all players, including Clark, joined together by wearing the symbolic warm-up shirts, reinforcing their shared demands amid the tense negotiations.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Kelsey Plum get surgery?
A. Kelsey Plum, a guard for the Las Vegas Aces, had a minor surgery on her right shoulder to fix her labrum. She is expected to fully recover and resume training during the offseason before the 2023 WNBA season. The upcoming season will be her sixth year playing in the WNBA.
Q. Did Kelsey Plum throw a T-shirt to her dad?
A. Kelsey Plum not only threw it a long distance, but she was also very accurate. She tossed the T-shirt exactly to her dad, Jerry. A news segment talked about this event some time ago, and it confirmed that it was him.
Q. Did Kelsey Plum throw a shirt to her dad?
A. Kelsey Plum didn’t just throw the T-shirt a long way; she also hit her target perfectly. She managed to toss it straight to her dad.
Q. Did Kelsey Plum throw the shirt to her dad?
A. For anyone who isn’t aware, she tossed the shirt to her dad. She aimed and threw it, and he managed to catch it. Her throw was really impressive.