Caitlin Clark has taken the WNBA by storm, and with her meteoric rise has come a wave of change, increased attendance, record-breaking viewership, and a level of national attention the league hasn’t seen in years.
But while many celebrate her impact, not everyone in the league is applauding. A recent controversy involving Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum has stirred up debate over respect, timing, and the internal dynamics of a league in transition.
At the heart of the controversy is a moment that unfolded during All-Star Weekend, when WNBA players made a bold statement about pay equity.
Donning shirts emblazoned with “Pay Us What You Owe Us,” many of the league’s top stars took part in a silent protest to draw attention to the ongoing negotiations around the collective bargaining agreement. But after the game, Plum drew attention away from the unity and toward division.
During a postgame press conference, Plum pointedly remarked that “zero members of Team Clark” attended the pregame meeting where the shirt protest was planned.
Though she noted that the demonstration was still impactful, her comment sent a clear signal, not everyone was pulling equal weight in what was intended to be a unified moment.
Sitting beside Plum, fellow All-Star Sabrina Ionescu tried to shift the tone and keep things positive, but the jab had already landed. And the fallout came fast.
Colin Cowherd fires back
Sports commentator Colin Cowherd wasted no time addressing the drama, and he didn’t mince words. In a viral clip from his show, Cowherd blasted Plum for taking a shot at Caitlin Clark, the league’s biggest star and marketing magnet.
“Why do you take a shot at the golden goose?” Cowherd exclaimed. “You went from a Motel 6 in a sketchy part of town to a Four Seasons in the shopping district. Stop talking. … It’s time to grow up girls, like fast. This is a player that got you off the airline that was bright yellow.”
His comments struck a nerve with many fans and analysts who agree that Clark has brought a new level of visibility and money to the WNBA.
While Clark‘s presence has undeniably elevated the league, the rapid shift in attention has also sparked tensions, particularly among veteran players who’ve long labored in relative obscurity.
Some supporters of Plum argue that her comments reflect legitimate frustrations about media bias and uneven representation. Others see her remarks as poorly timed and unnecessarily divisive during a critical moment for player solidarity.
Meanwhile, Clark has remained silent on the issue, choosing to focus on her game amid the off-court drama.
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