The WNBA All-Star Game became more than a showcase of talent; it turned into a platform where players, led by Natasha Cloud, demanded fair compensation as collective bargaining agreement (CBA) talks heat up. Cloud’s message was clear: WNBA players will no longer settle for minimal compensation.
Before the All-Star Game started, Team Napheesa Collier players wore shirts with the phrase
“pay us what you owe us,”
while fans chanted “Pay them more” during the speech by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Although Cloud was not selected as an All-Star, she participated in—and won—the skills challenge. When asked about the ongoing CBA dispute ahead of the New York Liberty’s game against the Indiana Fever, Cloud emphasized the importance of fan support in their fight.
I think our fans also know they love this league, they invest in this league and themselves, whether it’s their money, their time, their energy, whatever it is.
—Natasha Cloud, WNBA Player
Cloud stressed that their struggle for fair pay requires collective backing from fans and the community. She expressed determination that the league must bring significant improvements rather than offering insufficient compromises.
We’re pushing for what we deserve and what we’re worth and our value in the CBA negotiations. We’re not doing that same f**king sh*t. So, the league needs to bring us something better and that’s not in a disrespectful, that’s not in an arrogant way. That’s, we’re, we’re not looking for crumbs anymore,
Cloud said.
Unity Among Players Signals a Turning Point for WNBA’s Growth and Compensation
Cloud highlighted the WNBA’s growth, noting the league’s expansion with new teams as evidence of its rising business stature. On WNBA Countdown, she discussed the solidarity among players during a critical offseason as they prepare for CBA negotiations.
She applauded the 40 players who attended a meeting with Commissioner Engelbert, calling it a strong display of collective resolve to secure fair treatment.
When we say, ‘Pay us what we’re due,’ we mean that we mean business. We’re all on the same page for this offseason, and we’re going to do what it takes to make sure that not only we reap the benefits of this new CBA coming into play,
Cloud said.
As the 2025 WNBA Skills Champion, Cloud believes this fight goes beyond immediate pay raises—it is about securing a sustainable future for upcoming generations, where players can focus wholly on basketball without financial concerns.
She also called for revenue sharing not only league-wide but at the individual team level. Backed by leadership figures like Nneka Ogwumike, Cloud expressed confidence that the players are equipped to navigate this important phase in the league’s development.