Candace Parker Delivers Candid Response to WNBA ‘Pay Us’ Shirts Following Lackluster All-Star Performance

Candace Parker Calls Out Disappointing All-Star Game Performance Amid “Pay Us What You Owe Us” Message in Podcast Debut with Aliyah Boston

WNBA legend Candace Parker and rising Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston launched their much-anticipated podcast, Post Moves, on YouTube this week—kicking things off with a bold and honest conversation about the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game and the larger pay equity movement sweeping through the league.

The first episode, which aired just days after the All-Star Weekend festivities in Indiana, focused on the league’s ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations and how players chose to amplify their message through protest fashion. As part of a unified statement, many All-Stars took to the court wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the message: “Pay Us What You Owe Us.”

However, Parker didn’t shy away from critiquing what she saw as a missed opportunity. Despite the powerful visual statement, the game itself—according to Parker—lacked intensity, competitiveness, and entertainment value. “You can’t step onto that stage wearing those shirts and then give an underwhelming performance,” she said candidly, adding that she found the overall gameplay “awful.”

The moment struck a nerve, especially given the timing. The All-Star Weekend coincided with a high-stakes, in-person meeting between WNBA leadership and members of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) to discuss the framework of a new CBA. At the heart of the conversation: revenue sharing.

Currently, WNBA players receive only 9% of league revenue, a figure starkly contrasted by the nearly 50% split NBA players enjoy. With the league experiencing record-breaking viewership, increased sponsorships, and greater media coverage—fueled in part by breakout stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and A’ja Wilson—players are pushing for a deal that more accurately reflects their growing value and contribution to the sport.

Boston, representing the voice of younger players in the league, responded to Parker’s remarks with empathy and context. She pointed out that the 2025 WNBA season added four more regular-season games—expanding from 40 to 44—with no added compensation. “That’s unfair,” Boston noted. “It’s challenging to give your all when you’re being asked to do more without getting paid more.”

Parker acknowledged the frustration but reiterated the importance of maximizing national spotlight moments like the All-Star Game. “On one of the league’s biggest stages—without Caitlin Clark and still with significant viewer interest—this was a golden opportunity. Wearing the shirt was powerful, but pairing it with an equally strong product on the court would’ve elevated the message.”

The candid back-and-forth between Parker and Boston sets the tone for Post Moves, which promises to be a space for real conversations about the evolution of women’s basketball, the business behind the game, and the athletes shaping its future.

As the WNBA approaches a critical turning point with the upcoming CBA, voices like Parker’s and Boston’s are vital in steering the conversation toward meaningful change. Whether through their gameplay, their platforms, or their podcasts, these athletes continue to redefine what it means to advocate for equity in professional sports.