The WNBA All-Star Weekend in July 2025 was supposed to be a celebration of unity, progress, and the league’s soaring popularity. Instead, it erupted into a headline-grabbing drama involving Kelsey Plum, Caitlin Clark, and Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd—one that has since divided fans and fueled debates about respect, jealousy, and the future of women’s basketball.

What Sparked the Controversy?

It all began on July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The All-Star Game was electric, packed with fans and loaded with significance—not just for basketball, but for the ongoing labor negotiations between the WNBA and its players. The league’s top stars took the court for warmups wearing black t-shirts emblazoned with the demand: “Pay us what you owe us.” The protest, a surprise even to many players, was a powerful message aimed at WNBA leadership ahead of 2026 collective bargaining talks.

Then came the postgame press conference.

Kelsey Plum, vice president of the WNBA Players Association and a veteran now playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, spoke passionately about the protest. But it was one offhand remark that triggered the storm:
“Not to tattletale, but zero members of Team Clark were very present for that.”

“Team Clark,” led by second-year superstar Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, included some of the league’s biggest names—Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, Aaliyah Boston. Plum’s comment suggested they had skipped the early morning players-only meeting where the protest was organized.

The room grew awkward. Ionescu, sitting beside Plum and also on Team Clark, muttered uncomfortably, “That really needed to be mentioned?” Her reaction—and Plum’s attempt to pass it off as humor—only added fuel to the fire. Social media exploded with speculation, and the hashtags #TeamClark and #TeamPlum began trending.

Colin Cowherd Enters the Chat

On July 21, sports commentator Colin Cowherd didn’t mince words. On his show The Herd, he lit into Plum, defending Clark as the league’s savior and accusing veterans of ungratefulness.

“Why do you take a shot at the Golden Goose Caitlin Clark?” he asked, before comparing the WNBA’s recent rise to going from a Motel 6 to the Four Seasons—thanks entirely to Clark. His message: be thankful and stop complaining.

Cowherd’s rant spread fast across social media. While some praised it as a “reality check,” others accused him of reducing a complex situation to a soundbite and ignoring the long-standing efforts of players like Plum.

The Fallout: Shade, Subtext, and Subtweets

Did Kelsey Plum “snap” in response to Cowherd’s takedown, as some headlines claimed? Not exactly. Her actual response was subtle: she posted a photo of herself in front of a partially visible Nike logo—ironic, considering she’s an Under Armour athlete. Clark, quick-witted and cool, replied in the comments:
“Thanks for the Nike ad.”
The clapback was light-hearted but unmistakable, and it reignited the rivalry talk.

Behind the scenes, sources insisted that Plum’s remark was never intended as an attack. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, it was a poorly timed joke. Team Clark’s absence from the meeting? Likely due to exhaustion from a late night out, as evidenced by a livestream showing several players enjoying the All-Star festivities into the early hours.

Still, public perception is another beast. The press and fans interpreted Plum’s quip as a dig, questioning the unity of a league trying to present a strong front during a pivotal moment. Even her ally Ionescu’s discomfort suggested the moment hit deeper than intended.

Jealousy or Justice?

At the heart of this controversy lies a broader tension in the WNBA: the old guard vs. the new wave. Caitlin Clark is a once-in-a-generation talent. Her arrival in 2024 ignited ticket sales, boosted TV ratings, and helped secure private charters for teams. She is, without question, the league’s biggest marketing asset.

But veteran players like Plum have been advocating for better pay and conditions long before Clark’s stardom. The t-shirt protest was years in the making—a culmination of their efforts, not a side effect of Clark’s fame.

Some fans say Plum’s frustration is understandable. One X user wrote, “Kelsey’s been in the trenches for this league. Y’all acting like Caitlin’s the only one who matters.” Others believe Cowherd and the media are guilty of framing veterans as jealous instead of giving them credit for laying the foundation Clark now thrives on.

A League at a Crossroads

The WNBA has never turned a profit. Most of its players still earn a fraction of their NBA counterparts and rely heavily on endorsements or overseas play to make a living. The league’s future, many believe, depends on leveraging this new wave of popularity—driven largely by Clark—while also recognizing and rewarding the long-standing contributions of its veteran core.

Cowherd’s harsh criticism may have been unfair, but he’s not wrong about the stakes. The “Pay us what you owe us” movement is gaining traction. With CBA talks looming, unity among players is crucial.

But the media’s thirst for drama could derail that unity. Sports blogs, YouTube channels, and national networks all profit from controversy, and the Clark-Plum saga was the perfect storm. Catchy soundbites and viral memes (“Know your place,” one viral image read, depicting Clark as queen and Plum as a jester) don’t leave much room for nuance.

What Comes Next?

For now, both players are back on the court. Clark continues to draw sellout crowds in Indiana, averaging eye-popping numbers and playing through a minor groin injury. Plum, ever defiant, leads the Sparks with confidence and tenacity, remaining active in the Players Association and on social media.

Whether this feud fizzles or flames into a full-blown rivalry remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the WNBA is in a defining era—caught between growing mainstream interest and internal growing pains.

The question is no longer just about whether Plum’s comment was out of line. It’s about how the league will handle its own rapid evolution—and whether it can strike a balance between celebrating superstars like Clark and honoring the veterans who fought for the stage she now dominates.