During warmups at the WNBA All-Star Game this weekend, players hit the floor with shirts that read, “Pay Us What You Owe Us”, in a powerful statement bringing the pay equity fight centre stage.
Players recognized this moment as an opportunity to highlight their case for increasing salaries, with the ongoing CBA negotiations taking place. After wearing the shirts during warm-ups, fans started chanting “Pay Them” during the trophy presentation, while Mystics guard Brittney Sykes stood behind WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert, holding a sign that read “Pay The Players”, clearly visible on the ABC broadcast.
Getting their message out more widely is a huge win for the players. Napheesa Collier said to CBC, “We get a very tiny percentage of all the money that’s made through the WNBA, which obviously is made through the entertainment we provide, so we want a fair and reasonable percentage of that.”
Looking for increased salaries, a softer salary cap and improved benefits are hardly new challenges in women’s sport, but the conversation continues to be front and centre this WNBA season, getting more recognition both from fans and governing bodies. The team is now hoping fans will wear the shirts too, with the union having announced on social media during the game that they are available to buy.
Courtney Williams said to CBC about the shirts, “You put it out there, and you stand on business, and we’re standing on business.”
In other sports news, read about Lucy Bronze’s strapping scene becoming an iconic women’s football moment.
