Over 40 WNBA players met in Indianapolis ahead of the 2025 All-Star Game for a significant in-person bargaining session between the league and union representatives. This assembly, involving athletes from various generations, aimed to advance the discussion on establishing fairer pay structures within the league, with Angel Reese equitable pay demand taking center stage.
Unified Demonstration Highlights Call for Fair Revenue Distribution
During the All-Star Game warmups, all 22 selected All-Stars wore black T-shirts displaying the slogan
“Pay Us What You Owe Us”
, signaling a united call for a more just share of league revenues. This visual protest brought attention to deep-rooted concerns about compensation fairness, shared by both veteran players and younger rising stars such as Reese and Caitlin Clark.
Veteran Leaders and Emerging Stars Stand Together
Veteran players including WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart, Satou Sabally, and Gabby Williams have driven much of the public discourse on pay equity. Recently, the spotlight has also focused on younger players like Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, and Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers, who sources confirm are fully aligned with union efforts and demonstrating a strong commitment to the cause during these talks.
Union Rejects Initial League Proposal as Inadequate
Before the All-Star festivities, the WNBPA unanimously dismissed the league‘s opening Collective Bargaining Agreement offer, describing it as a slap in the face or disrespectful for its failure to address crucial issues such as better salaries, increased salary cap flexibility, more roster spots, and improved maternity benefits. Union leaders reiterated that negotiations have yet to produce significant progress, criticizing the league’s approach as insufficient to secure the transformational changes sought by players.
Optimism Persists Despite Ongoing Challenges
Despite frustrations, union leadership figures like Nneka Ogwumike and Executive Director Terri Jackson maintain cautious hope that continued dialogue could lead to a breakthrough before the current collective bargaining agreement expires on October 31, 2025. This optimism stems partly from the league’s rising revenues, which are bolstered by an 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and NBCUniversal, as well as growth in attendance, merchandise sales, and viewership.
Growing Pressure to Adjust Revenue Sharing Model
With the league’s financial success increasing, the WNBPA is advocating to raise the share of league revenues allocated to players from the current 9.3% to a level comparable with major professional sports leagues such as the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA and NFL. Fans voiced their backing of the players during the All-Star Game, chanting Pay them! while Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the crowd, highlighting the strong public support behind the union’s demands.
Call for Fair Compensation Gains Attention from Social Commentators
Support from outside the league has also emerged, with figures like Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy vocalizing agreement with players’ demands. Portnoy emphasized the issue of rookies like Caitlin Clark, earning a base salary of $76,000, and Angel Reese, who receives a similarly low salary despite their significant impact and ability to draw attention to the league’s growth.
The Significance of Unity in the Fight for Fair Pay
The collective stand taken by both established veterans and newer stars such as Angel Reese signals a pivotal moment in WNBA labor negotiations. As the league’s popularity and revenues expand rapidly, the pressure to reform pay structures reflects broader demands for economic justice and recognition of players’ vital contributions. With the current agreement set to expire in less than two years, fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see whether this wave of unity and advocacy results in a meaningful shift in the league’s compensation policies.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What caused Angel Reese’s injury?
A. “I landed on my hand during the and-1 play. When I fell back, I cracked a small bone in my hand,” Reese shared in a TikTok video on Sunday night. “The doctors explained that I have two options: have surgery or not undergo an operation.”
Q. Did Angel Reese get a degree?
A. Reese studied several subjects at Louisiana State University, focusing on interdisciplinary studies. She also pursued communications at the University of Maryland, College Park. While at LSU, she completed her degree in interdisciplinary studies. Her specialized areas included communication studies, leadership development, and psychology.
Q. What did Angel Reese’s parents do?
A. Basketball is a family tradition for Angel. Both of her parents played the sport in college. Her mother even played professionally in Luxembourg. In January 2023, Angel mentioned to Just Women’s Sports, “My mom has always been independent and taught me to be the same.”