WNBA players participating in the league’s All-Star game on Saturday night rocked controversial t-shirts that read, “Pay Us What You Owe Us.”

Athletes in women’s professional sports, most notably in sports like basketball and soccer, have been on an “equal pay” crusade for years, arguing that they are paid far too little, especially relative to their male counterparts.

According to WNBA players, Saturday’s shirts were inspired, more specifically, over recent collective bargaining negotiations.

However, as social media users pointed out online, the WNBA is not able to sustain its operations from its own profits alone, and is effectively subsidized by the NBA, which reportedly owns 60% of the WNBA.

“There is no league as tone deaf as the WNBA,” Daily Wire podcast co-host Jake Crain said. “‘Pay us what you owe us’ shirts when you have to be subsidized is wild.”

There is no league as tone deaf as the WNBA.

“Pay us what you owe us” shirts when you have to be subsidized is wild.
pic.twitter.com/WuA6x6nr93

— Jake “JBOY” Crain (@JakeCrain_) July 20, 2025

Red State writer Bonchie mocked: “WNBA: ‘No one watches our league, it’s losing $50 million a year, and we just got trolled at the ESPYs. What should we do?’ WNBA Players: ‘Let’s become even more insufferable.'”

WNBA: “No one watches our league, it’s losing $50 million a year, and we just got trolled at the ESPYs. What should we do?”

WNBA Players: “Let’s become even more insufferable.” https://t.co/ytcQlwTvty

— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) July 20, 2025

“Imagine being an employee at a company that has NEVER turned a profit and showing up to work in these shirts,” Jason Howerton said. “Amazing opportunity for the WNBA commissioner to be like: ‘OK, deal. You lost us $40 million last year, each of you owe us $231K.'”

Amazing opportunity for the WNBA commissioner to be like:

“OK, deal. You lost us $40 million last year, each of you owe us $231K”

— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) July 20, 2025

Another X user criticized the WNBA for demanding more money while operating at a loss, and as the “players beat the s*** out of the only player that fans pay to watch – Caitlin Clark.”

WNBA All-Stars wearing shirts that say “Pay us what you owe us.”

LOL. The league operates at a loss and is subsidized by the NBA.

And its players beat the shit out of the only player that fans pay to watch – Caitlin Clark.pic.twitter.com/A1B7A8uUsm

— John LeFevre (@JohnLeFevre) July 20, 2025

Clark, who plays for the Indiana Fever, also wore the “Pay Us What You Owe Us” warm-up.

Steph Chambers/Getty Images

However, another WNBA player said during a post-game interview that Clark was not present for the last-minute decision to go with the controversial slogan.

“It was a very powerful moment. As players, we didn’t know that that was going to happen. It was a genuine surprise,” Kelsey Plum said. “The t-shirt was determined this morning. Not to tattletale: zero members of ‘team Clark’ were very present for that.”

KP: “It was a very powerful moment. As players, we didn’t know that that was going to happen. It was a genuine surprise. The t shirt was determined this morning. Not to tattletale: 0 members of Team Clark were very present for that” https://t.co/2fXgaAuqMR pic.twitter.com/awIfnqLjxv

— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 20, 2025

Clark has created tremendous buzz for the women’s league, and is credited with a boost in attendance and merch sales. In fact, Barstool founder Dave Portnoy gave a different take than most online, arguing that these women actually should make more money, highlighting the league’s recent boost — thanks in large part to Clark.

WNBA rant for people with smaller brains than me. pic.twitter.com/biDNBX7JWA

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 20, 2025

Related: Shane Gillis Shocks ESPY Crowd With Unfiltered Jokes About Epstein, WNBA, And Caitlin Clark

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday urged the new government of Syria to crack down on terror groups “carrying out massacres” against religious minorities in the country’s south.

Syria’s government, led President Ahmed al-Sharaa, must step in to protect religious minorities, mainly Druze, in its south if the government wants achieve a unified Syria, Rubio said. The fighting has dampend hope that Syria may be able transition to a peaceful state.

“The U.S. has remained heavily involved over the last three days with Israel, Jordan and authorities in Damascus on the horrifying & dangerous developments in southern Syria,” said Rubio in a post on X. “The rape and slaughter of innocent people which has and is still occuring must end.”

U.S. special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said on Sunday morning that a ceasefire had been struck between forces in Syria’s south, and that it was holding while negotiations for hostages moved forward.

“Escalating hostilities can only be contained with an agreement to pause violence, protect the innocent, allow humanitarian access, and step back from danger. As of 17:00 Damascus time, all parties have navigated to a pause and cessation of hostilities. The next foundation stone on a path to inclusion, and lasting de-escalation, is a complete exchange of hostages and detainees, the logistics of which are in process,” said Barrack.

Clashes in Syria’s south have taken place for weeks. Violence escalated recently when Syrian government forces moved against Druze militias led by Druze leader Hikmat al Hijri last week. In response, Israel launched airstrikes against Syrian forces, causing them to withdraw.

Rubio called on the Syrian government, which has taken the side of Bedouin tribes against Druze, to restore peace to the region instead of targeting the Druze minority.

“If authorities in Damascus want to preserve any chance of achieving a unified, inclusive and peaceful Syria free of ISIS and of Iranian control they must help end this calamity by using their security forces to prevent ISIS and any other violent jihadists from entering the area and carrying out massacres. And they must hold accountable and bring to justice anyone guilty of atrocities including those in their own ranks,” said Rubio.

Rubio also called for a stop to fighting between Druze and Bedouin tribes in Syria’s Sweida province, where the fighting has concentrated in the Druze-majority region.

After the withdrawal of Syrian government forces, Druze militias moved against Bedouin tribes, sparking retaliatory attacks against Druze. Brutality has reportedly taken place against civilians and captives of both sides.

Israel has maintained military control over parts of southern Syria to keep a buffer zone between the Jewish state and Syria, which is rife with tribal violence and jihadists – Syria’s president is a longtime terrorist with ties to Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Israel, which has a sizable Druze population living in its north, has promised to protect the Druze population in Syria’s south.

As part of its strikes, Israel hit targets in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Israel said it took action in defense of Druze civilians that were targeted by Syria’s military.

“The IDF continues to monitor developments and the regime’s actions against Druze civilians in southern Syria. In accordance with directives from the political echelon, the IDF is conducting strikes in the area and remains prepared for various scenarios,” the Israeli military said.