Caitlin Clark and WNBA All-Stars made a bold statement during All-Star warmups, sending a clear message to the league amid tense CBA negotiations

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert feels optimistic that the league and the players' union will be able to come to a new collective bargaining agreement at some point, even if it's after the end of October deadline.

Every WNBA All-Star took the court for warm-ups Saturday clad in T-shirts that read "Pay Us What You Owe Us," a reference to the players' biggest gripe during the ongoing CBA negotiations.

Players came out wearing “pay us what you owe us” shirts to big cheers from the crowd. Comes after what players had a meeting with the league about the CBA on Thursday, which they described as a “wasted opportunity.” pic.twitter.com/SvHMaIg7IL More than 40 players met with WNBA officials in Indianapolis on Thursday.

Players wore shirts reading “Pay us what you owe us” during warmups for the All-Star game. The message follows failed negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement with the league. Players

Each of the three newest expansion teams joins the league paying a record $250 million expansion fee. The new Golden State expansion team has been an immediate success and is now worth over $500 million, according to Sportico, after paying just a $50 million expansion fee to enter the league. That’s a WNBA-record valuation, and the union knows it.

The league sits at the precipice of a pivotal financial fork in the road in the form of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. The WNBA and its players boast enviable momentum and a great product. They can’t afford to squander those favorable conditions with squabbling and a work stoppage in 2026.

WNBA All-Star weekend was set to come to a close with the exhibition game between Team Clark and Team Collier on Saturday night. Captain Caitlin Clark was unable to play for her team because of