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Kelsey Plum critiques Caitlin Clark over All-Star protest T-shirts

After the WNBA All-Star Game, Kelsey Plum questioned Team Clark's involvement in the T-shirt initiative for better player pay.

July 20, 2025 at 08:28 PM

Kelsey Plum Takes Shot at Caitlin Clark's All-Star Team Over 'Pay Us' Shirts

The WNBA All-Star Game highlighted tensions over player pay as Kelsey Plum criticized Caitlin Clark's team involvement.

Kelsey Plum Critiques Caitlin Clark's Role in All-Star T-Shirt Protest

The WNBA All-Star Game showcased player solidarity, with teams wearing shirts bearing the message "Pay Us What You Owe Us." This statement aims at the league as players push for better pay in upcoming negotiations. However, after the game, Kelsey Plum of the Los Angeles Sparks suggested that Caitlin Clark's All-Star team was absent from discussions regarding the shirts. During a press conference, Plum remarked that the shirt initiative took her by surprise and highlighted that members of Team Clark had not been involved. Her comment sparked visible discomfort from fellow player Sabrina Ionescu. This situation raises questions about underlying rivalries, particularly given Clark's rising popularity in the league and her influence on fan engagement.

Key Takeaways

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Kelsey Plum criticized Team Clark's absence from the T-shirt initiative discussion.

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Players wore shirts to demand better pay in the upcoming CBA negotiations.

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Tension exists between players over visibility and fan support.

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Caitlin Clark's popularity may create competitive jealousy among peers.

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Sabrina Ionescu's discomfort signals unspoken rifts in team dynamics.

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The incident highlights the importance of player unity in advocacy efforts.

"As players, we didn't know that was going to happen."

Plum expressed surprise at her teammates' lack of involvement in the shirt initiative.

"That really needed to be mentioned."

Ionescu's sarcastic response indicated discomfort with Plum's comment.

"You can’t wear that in the gym. What is this?"

Plum's earlier criticism of a fan highlights her feelings about Clark's popularity.

"Zero members of Team Clark were very present for that."

Plum comments on the absence of Clark's team during T-shirt discussions, revealing underlying issues.

Plum’s remarks about Team Clark could reflect ongoing tensions within the WNBA, as some players might feel overshadowed by Clark's success. The incident not only illustrates the challenges players face as they negotiate for better pay but also hints at the competitive dynamics among emerging stars. Clark's absence from the All-Star lineup due to injury, paired with the focus on player compensation, adds depth to an already complex landscape where talent, marketability, and pay equity intersect. With players advocating for their worth publicly, the league faces pressure to address these concerns.