The tension between WNBA players and league officials is reaching a boiling point as collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations continue to stall. Over the weekend, WNBA All-Stars made a bold and unified statement during warmups by wearing shirts emblazoned with the phrase, “Pay Us What You Owe Us.” Now, rookie sensation Angel Reese is adding her voice to the movement, making it clear that the players are ready to take drastic action if compensation concerns are not addressed.
Angel Reese, who has quickly become one of the most recognizable faces in women’s basketball, didn’t hold back when asked about the issue. The Chicago Sky forward made it clear that players are growing increasingly frustrated with the pay gap and lack of progress at the negotiating table. According to Reese, the threat of a league-wide sit-out is very real if the current CBA talks do not lead to meaningful change.
“We deserve more. We work just as hard as anyone else, and we’re tired of waiting,” Reese said in a post-game interview. “We’re not just asking—we’re demanding what’s right. If that means sitting out, then that’s what we’re prepared to do.”
The players’ demands are part of a larger conversation that has been building for years around gender equity in sports. While the WNBA has made strides in marketing, media coverage, and attendance—especially in the current season, which has seen record-breaking viewership thanks to rising stars like Reese, Caitlin Clark, and A’ja Wilson—player salaries remain a hot-button issue.
Currently, the WNBA’s maximum base salary is just over $250,000, a fraction of what even the lowest-paid NBA players earn. Many WNBA athletes supplement their income by playing overseas during the offseason, an exhausting cycle that players say is unsustainable.
The league’s current CBA, signed in 2020, included some improvements in pay and travel accommodations, but players argue that the rapid growth of the sport has outpaced those agreements. With the league drawing more fans, sponsors, and media attention than ever before, players believe now is the time to renegotiate terms that reflect their true market value.
The message sent during All-Star weekend was a calculated and collective effort by players to spotlight the issue on one of the league’s biggest stages. The shirts reading “Pay Us What You Owe Us” were not just symbolic—they were a warning shot.
Angel Reese’s bold statements further emphasize how serious the players are about this battle. As one of the newest faces of the league, her willingness to speak out signals that the next generation of WNBA talent is just as committed to fighting for fair treatment as the veterans who paved the way.
With the CBA negotiations intensifying, the WNBA could be headed for a critical crossroads. Players are making it clear: they won’t settle for surface-level changes or empty promises. If their demands aren’t met, fans could see stars like Reese and others take the ultimate stand—by refusing to play.
For now, all eyes are on the league offices as players continue to push the #PayUsWhatYouOweUs movement forward.