Kelsey Plum apologizes for 'bad joke' targeting Caitlin Clark at All-Star game

Kelsey Plum Apologizes for Joke About Teammates Ahead of WNBA All-Star Game

Kelsey Plum has acknowledged making a regrettable joke about Caitlin Clark and other members of her WNBA All-Star team last month. The All-Star players, split into Team Clark and Team Collier, protested for higher pay by wearing t-shirts with the message 'Pay us what you owe us' before their game in Indianapolis.

After the game, Plum mentioned that none of Team Clark attended a meeting where they decided to wear the shirts, implying they were hungover. Plum later clarified that it was meant as a joke and admitted she should have taken the situation more seriously.

Plum emphasized that all players are united in supporting the WNBA players' union as they negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. The current agreement expires on October 31 of this year.

The WNBA has seen increased attention recently, partly due to players like Caitlin Clark. The league is set to benefit from a new media rights deal worth over $2.2 billion starting next season, along with the addition of three new teams. However, reports indicate the WNBA faced a $40 million loss last season.

Caitlin Clark missed the All-Star Game due to a groin injury, while Plum continues to perform well for the Sparks, averaging over 20 points per game. WNBA salaries range from $66,000 to around $250,000, with rookie-scale contracts like Clark's at the lower end.