Antonio Brown has sparked backlash once again, this time targeting Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark amid a wave of disturbing incidents in the WNBA. The former NFL wide receiver posted a graphic, doctored image on social media just as the league grapples with a troubling pattern of fan behavior involving inappropriate objects being thrown onto the court.
Brown’s now-viral tweet featured a photoshopped image of Clark wearing a shirt emblazoned with the phrase: “Pay us in green floppy d**dos.” The comment appeared to mock the WNBA’s “Pay Us What You Owe Us” campaign, which players recently highlighted at the 2025 All-Star Game.
The movement, aimed at pushing for better pay and working conditions, came to the forefront after more than 40 players met with league officials following stalled collective bargaining negotiations.
Brown’s post was especially jarring given the context. Just days earlier, the WNBA had seen two separate games interrupted after fans threw sex toys onto the court. The first incident occurred in College Park during a matchup between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries.
Another happened during a Valkyries versus Chicago Sky game, prompting a pause in play during the third quarter. Both incidents drew sharp criticism from players, many of whom called out the increasing disrespect and lack of safety at games.
Mockery collides with a movement for fairness
Brown’s tweet came as a direct contrast to the seriousness of the league’s current challenges. Players are not only facing dangerous behavior from the stands but are also locked in a battle for equitable treatment.
Despite record viewership and a multibillion-dollar media rights deal, the average WNBA salary remains around $102,000, with some rookies like Clark earning less than $80,000. By comparison, the NBA’s average salary is roughly $13 million.
Every member of Team Caitlin Clark and Team Napheesa Collier wore black warm-up shirts bearing the phrase in response to the failed talks with the league’s leadership. Their push comes ahead of the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement, set to end October 31. If no progress is made, a potential lockout in 2026 looms.
The players’ movement is rooted in economic growth the league is already experiencing. In addition to surging attendance and merchandise sales, the WNBA is expanding to cities like Toronto and Philadelphia.
Still, players receive only about 9 percent of league revenue, far below the NBA’s 50 percent player share. Clark, despite leading in merchandise sales and ratings, remains one of the lowest-paid figures in professional sports at her level of visibility.
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