"It Was Awful": Candace Parker Shares Brutal Take on WNBA All-Star Game, Controversial T-Shirts

"It Was Awful": Candace Parker Shares Brutal Take on WNBA All-Star Game, Controversial T-Shirts originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

WNBA legend Candace Parker made it clear that those participating in the WNBA All-Star Game missed a prime opportunity to represent the league in a good light after wearing the T-shirts that read, "Pay us what you owe us."

On the first episode of her new podcast "Post Moves," with Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston, the two-time WNBA MVP bluntly assessed the level of effort given in a game that saw Team Collier beat Team Clark 151-131.

Candace Parker Calls WNBA All-Star Game Awful

"The game, I'm gonna be honest with you, Aliyah, it was awful," Parker said. "The actual game? Are you kidding me? Whatchu mean what do I mean. ... But y'all cannot come out there with those shirts of 'Pay us what you owe us' and then do that in the All-Star Game. You all had an opportunity."

Boston cited the fact that they had a regular-season game in two days as a reason that they are allowed to "hoop and have some fun."

How WNBA Players Missed Their Chance

"I think it was just an opportunity to me on one of the biggest stages with those shirts being worn," Parker said. "Everyone always talks about how the NBA does not play in all-star games. But, guess what? They come down, they do windmills, they do stuff like that right? Women, I understand that it is challenging; you all were added 4-5 games more this season without compensation, which is unfair.

"But I think on one of the biggest stages with people tuned in, in an all-star setting that was invested in more than any other all-star game previously," Parker said. "Without Caitin Clark, right? She was not playing. I think it was an opportunity to really go out there, and it was an added opportunity."

What This Means for WNBA

In the eyes of Parker, the players went out there in shirts that sparked a discourse over wanting to be paid more then put forth a lackluster effort. While it isn't a fair mindset, those who are critics of the players being paid were given ammo to shoot down the league, and the efforts of the players.

Ultimately, with the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations, players are due for a larger payday when the dust settles anyway. Whether that comes without the players forcing a lockout in 2026 or not is unclear, but the league that inked a $2.2 billion media rights deal last July is certainly in a much better position than it ever has been before.

However, Parker was clearly hoping the players she paved the way for wouldn't have treated the most significant event the WNBA has to offer as if it were a walk-through.

Related: Candace Parker Reacts Boldly to ‘Angel Reese Hater’ Accusations

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.