Sports commentator Jason Whitlock took issue with Kelsey Plum’s T-shirt message before the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday. Her team wore “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts before playing Caitlin Clark’s team at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The shirt’s message and Plum’s negative comments directed toward Clark have ignited a firestorm online.
WNBA players called “communists” by former Ball State OL
X user @therealkamari_ asked Whitlock what he felt about the message before the basketball game. “Jason what are your thoughts about them wearing “pay us what you owe us “ shirts during pregame ?”
It’s hilarious. A group of simple-minded communists. https://t.co/718vALuID5
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) July 20, 2025
The message about greater pay comes amid an explosion of popularity for women’s basketball. Most of the excitement has to do with Clark, an exceptional talent for the league. However, young stars like Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers are also a draw to fans.
The increase in ratings from the last two seasons should help players during their next Collective Bargaining Agreement, set for after the season. They should stand to see higher wages if they don’t cause harm to the sport by doing things that turn away eyeballs.
Fans react to former Ball State OL Jason Whitlock’s message
Some fans on social media agreed with Whitlock’s sentiment.
“They’re not a real league, they’re just a deduction for the NBA. When headache exceeds deduction advantage the WNBA goes away,” wrote a fan.
“There’s a more basic problem reflected by this, which is that a lot of people think they are entitled to more pay than they are.
“They’ve been told they are special all their lives and don’t understand economics. The annoying Burger King commercials tell every customer at the end “You Rule!”, and people expect to be treated like kings/queens without doing anything,” posted another.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!
