logo
Was Kelsey Plum really ripping Caitlin Clark over All-Star moment? 3 theories

Was Kelsey Plum really ripping Caitlin Clark over All-Star moment? 3 theories

USA Today2 days ago
It's one of the more perplexing stories from WNBA All-Star weekend that left us all scratching our heads.
After players all wore "Pay Us What You Owe Us" shirts in warmups on Saturday -- a shot at the league as collective bargaining agreement negotiations ramp up -- player's association VP Kelsey Plum talked about the shirts and how that effort came together that Saturday morning. It was in that recounting that she said this: "Not to tattletale, but zero members of Team [Caitlin] Clark were very present for that."
Huh. What... what does that mean? Is that a shot at Caitlin Clark? At the players on the Fever star's All-Star team?
We have no context yet. But let's break down some theories we have about this whole thing:
Theory 1: Kelsey Plum was joking
If this is a joke, it's kind of not funny, right?
But it seems like the two have (jokingly, we think) thrown shade at each other in various ways. Check out this joke Clark made on Plum's Instagram:
And this Clark trolling ended with a hug with Plum:
And remember when Plum wanted Clark to be given a technical foul?
So it could be a very badly delivered joke.
Theory 2: Kelsey Plum needs to remind the players that they need a united front
Maybe this wasn't meant for Caitlin Clark specifically. Maybe it was for the entire player's association, to give them a heads up that in order to get paid what they owe, they can't miss meetings to come up with messages.
Theory 3: Caitlin Clark's team really didn't attend the meeting about All-Star t-shirts and Kelsey Plum had to call it out
Which brings up more questions: if this really did happen, why did Team Clark miss the meeting? What was the communication breakdown? Did Clark et al not want to be a part of it? But they put on the t-shirts anyway?
This is where we absolutely need Plum to clarify her comments. Hopefully she will and all this will be put behind the players as they fight for what they deserve in the next CBA.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

3 Best Trade Destinations for Boston Red Sox Outfielder Jarren Duran
3 Best Trade Destinations for Boston Red Sox Outfielder Jarren Duran

Fox Sports

time26 minutes ago

  • Fox Sports

3 Best Trade Destinations for Boston Red Sox Outfielder Jarren Duran

Two questions surround Jarren Duran: Would the Boston Red Sox fathom trading the talented 28-year-old outfielder? And who wouldn't want to get their hands on the 2024 All-Star? Under team control through 2028, Duran is a plug-and-play starter (both center and left field) who arguably hasn't even entered his prime. He has a slug-generating crisp swing from the left, is an extra-base hit machine, and wreaks havoc on the basepath. Duran's production has dipped a bit from last year's All-Star campaign, but he still has a 2.4 WAR, nine home runs, 51 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, an AL-high 10 doubles and boasts a .257/.323/.433 slash line. Here are the three best trade destinations for Duran: 3. San Francisco Giants Last month, the Giants made a blockbuster trade with the Red Sox for Rafael Devers. Why not go back to Beantown for another positional upgrade in Duran? The Giants entered Wednesday's MLB action 21st in runs (422), 25th in home runs (95), 26th in batting average (.232), 27th in slugging percentage (.374) and 28th in hits (779). In short: they need another bat. Duran, who has primarily played center field this season, gives the Giants both a well-rounded left-handed hitter and somebody who deepens their outfield rotation. Heliot Ramos likely stays in left field, meaning Jung Hoo Lee would become San Francisco's designated hitter and Wilmer Flores, who has primarily been the team's designated hitter this season, has the infield versatility to become a utility player. Of course, Duran's arrival could also merely mean that manager Bob Melvin shuffles the aforementioned players and right fielder Mike Yastrzemski based on the opposing starting pitcher. While slipping of late, San Francisco is firmly in the wild-card hunt at 53-49. The Giants need more oomph, and Duran would add more much-needed offensive firepower while becoming a part of their core for the foreseeable future. San Francisco could base a trade offer to Boston for Duran around esteemed shortstop prospect Jhonny Level, as the Giants have Willy Adames in the first season of a seven-year, $182 million deal. All that said, the Giants may refrain from trading for Duran, as they could view him as a quality player but one who isn't clearly better than any of their starting outfielders and therefore prefer to make a trade for somebody who presents a clear upgrade (e.g. San Francisco acquiring Devers). 2. Toronto Blue Jays The Blue Jays, who lead the Yankees by three games in the AL East, should operate like a legit contender. Acquiring Duran would fortify that status. Last offseason, Toronto made a presumably cost-effective and high-impact move by signing former Baltimore Orioles outfielder/designated hitter Anthony Santander — who blasted 44 home runs in 2024 — to a five-year, $92.5 million deal. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, Santander hasn't played since May 29 due to a shoulder injury and boasted a .179/.273/.304 slash line before going down. Furthermore, center fielder Daulton Varsho has missed the last two months due to a hamstring injury and struggled to get on base beforehand. Acquiring Duran could help Toronto replenish some of the production that both Santander and Varsho's absences have vacated. Duran would provide slug and somebody who files around the basepaths to a plausible offense but one that could use more slug; while Toronto entered Wednesday second in MLB with a .332 on-base percentage, it was also 12th with a .407 slugging percentage. At full force, Duran, Varsho, George Springer, Davis Schneider and Santander — who was the team's designated hitter before going down — would make for an outfield depth chart of multiple players who are adept at playing multiple spots. Duran could start in either left or center field for the Blue Jays, bat near the top of the order and help set the table for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Addison Barger and Co. Toronto could send a trade package to Boston that allows the latter to beef up its organizational pitching depth, sending two of Brandon Barriera, Juaron Watts-Brown, Ryan Jennings and Landen Maroudis to the Red Sox for Duran. Boston potentially wanting a little more from Toronto in a trade than another team, given it being a divisional rival, could hurt getting a deal over the finish line, though. Plus, the Blue Jays could convince themselves that Santander getting healthy — and performing like the player they signed up for — later in the season is an essential midseason acquisition. 1. Philadelphia Phillies The Phillies are in a grudge match with the New York Mets for the NL East and are trying to break through and win the World Series while their core is still in its prime. How about getting a two-for-one: somebody who improves Philadelphia in the present and gives it a safety net from potentially losing one of its core bats in the offseason? As for the present, Duran could take over in center field, moving Brandon Marsh into the fourth outfielder role. From the jump, Duran becomes the best everyday offensive outfielder in Philadelphia's order, giving it somebody who could either get on base, setting up Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber for RBI opportunities near the top of the order, or hit in the bottom-third of the order, helping spark offense and balance out their offensive firepower. Then, there's the future element, as Schwarber and Max Kepler are each free agents after this season, and Nick Castellanos is a free agent after 2026. Surely, the Phillies are going to attempt to re-sign Schwarber and have the resources to do so, but if another team outbids them, or Schwarber ultimately decides to move on, Castellanos could become the team's designated hitter. Meanwhile, Duran could stick in center field or move to left depending on how Philadelphia builds out its outfield depth. In essence, Duran gives the Phillies somebody who can play both spots, provides depth and is under contract for the next three full seasons. The Phillies have the talent and pedigree to knock off any team, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and potent Chicago Cubs. But Philadelphia risks complacency with its offensive core and banking on an improved starting rotation (e.g. Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez being healthy and continuing to pitch at a high level). After last season's ending in which they got muzzled by the Mets in a four-game divisional series that saw them score just 12 runs — including two or fewer in three of those games — that would be unwise. Adding Duran improves them in both the short and long term. Given the high-caliber status of its starting rotation, Philadelphia could base a trade offer to Boston for Duran around 2020 first-round right-hander Mick Abel, among others. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Major League Baseball Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

Commanders' Bobby Wagner joins WNBA ownership group
Commanders' Bobby Wagner joins WNBA ownership group

USA Today

time26 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Commanders' Bobby Wagner joins WNBA ownership group

We're proud to announce that Bobby Wagner is joining the Seattle Storm ownership group!A Super Bowl champion and All-Pro linebacker, @Bwagz will become the first active NFL player to have equity in a WNBA team.📰 Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner did something this week that no other active NFL player has done: He joined the ownership group for WBNA's Seattle Storm. The only other NFL player to have an ownership stake in a WNBA team is retired quarterback Tom Brady, who has an ownership stake in the Las Vegas Aces. Wagner was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks, where he played 10 consecutive seasons. 'Bobby is a hometown hero who has had immeasurable impact on the Seattle community,' said Seattle Storm Co-Owner Lisa Brummel. 'He shares our desire to grow the game and knows the value and importance of investing in women's sports. As we continue to build on the incredible legacy of the Storm franchise, we are excited to add Bobby's experience and expertise to the mix.' 'It's an honor to join the Seattle Storm ownership group and support a franchise that has consistently set the standard in women's professional sports,' said Wagner. 'This is about more than basketball, it's about investing in a legacy of excellence, empowering women, and continuing to elevate the game for future generations.' Wagner says that Kobe Bryant's legacy was an influence in his decision to join the ownership group, continuing to promote women's sports, and Commanders' minority owner Magic Johnson for his mentorship. Now entering his 14th season in the league, Wagner may be on the East Coast, but he's certainly not forgetting his West Coast roots. And to purchase a stake in a women's professional sport to help elevate women's sports is truly inspirational. The interest in the WNBA continues to rise, and with guys like Wagner supporting them, little girls everywhere have role models to look up to and aspire to be like.

Commanders' Bobby Wagner joins Seattle Storm ownership as WNBA momentum builds
Commanders' Bobby Wagner joins Seattle Storm ownership as WNBA momentum builds

New York Times

time27 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Commanders' Bobby Wagner joins Seattle Storm ownership as WNBA momentum builds

Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner's legacy in Seattle lives on. The Seattle Storm shared on Wednesday that the former Seattle Seahawks star will join their ownership group. 'I'm really excited to be a part of the WNBA,' Wagner said. 'I think it's a great time. I've always watched from afar, being in Seattle, so I'm really excited to be a part of the growth and stay connected to a community that I still love.' Advertisement Wagner, a six-time first-team All-Pro, was drafted in the second round by the Seahawks in 2012 and spent 10 seasons with the organization, playing a key role in helping the team win Super Bowl XLVIII. Wagner last played for the Seahawks in 2023. The Storm was recently valued at $325 million, according to Bloomberg. 'Bobby is a hometown hero who has had an immeasurable impact on the Seattle community,' Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel said in a statement. 'He shares our desire to grow the game and knows the value and importance of investing in women's sports. As we continue to build on the incredible legacy of the Storm franchise, we are excited to add Bobby's experience and expertise to the mix.' In recent years, many former athletes have gotten involved in ownership groups in the WNBA. Tom Brady purchased a stake in the Las Vegas Aces in March 2023. Retired NBA superstar and Chicago native Dwyane Wade joined the Chicago Sky's ownership group in 2023. After Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore won their arbitration case against former Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor, Rodriguez joins the group of former athletes with ownership stakes in WNBA franchises and will act as governor of the Lynx. Former Atlanta Dream guard Renee Montgomery became the first former WNBA player to become an owner and executive of a franchise when she invested in the Dream. Women's basketball legend and longtime Storm player Sue Bird joined the team's ownership group in August 2024. However, one of the original former athletes to invest in the WNBA is Magic Johnson, who has served as co-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks since 2014. Wagner, who called Johnson a 'mentor' of his, said he ran the idea of joining the Storm's ownership by Johnson. 'He was a huge help because he's done it at a very high level,' Wagner said Wednesday during the Commanders' training camp. Advertisement The rise in former athletes getting involved in ownership reflects the league's growth. The WNBA is set to enter a new 11-year, $2.2 billion TV deal, which will take effect next season. Expansion is also on the horizon. The Golden State Valkyries are in their inaugural season, and the newly-branded Portland Fire are set to join in 2026. Last month, the WNBA granted expansion teams to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia, which will take the league to a record 18 franchises by 2030. The teams reportedly paid a $250 million expansion fee, a league source told The Athletic's Ben Pickman. According to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, national TV viewership is up 23 percent, attendance is up 26 percent and merchandise sales are up 40 percent. While the league is experiencing unprecedented growth, players and the league are working to reach a new collective bargaining agreement. Conversations have been described as 'spirited' and 'constructive.' Players who competed in the All-Star Game last weekend donned shirts with the phrase 'Pay Us What You Owe Us,' referring to their demand for higher salaries in the new CBA. Engelbert also wants to see a 'significant increase' in player salaries and benefits.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store