North Texas Labor Leaders Support Dallas Wings Players’ ‘Pay Us What You Owe Us’ Campaign
ARLINGTON, Texas – On Thursday, North Texas labor leaders joined in support of Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) members and their “Pay Us What You Owe Us” campaign at the Dallas Wings’ final game of the season.
Coverage of the action:
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers ends spectacular rookie season with win vs. Phoenix
- KERA News: Unions, Dallas Wings fans rally outside last game seeking fair pay as negotiation deadline looms
- NBC DFW: Labor leaders stand in solidarity with WNBA players advocating for better pay
“It means a lot because we’re trying to reach as many voices as we can, have as many people have our backs as we can because we know how important we are to this league,” Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers told the Fort-Worth Star Telegram while thanking the Texas AFL-CIO after the game. “We’re very grateful for the people who paved the way before us, who have given this opportunity for us to play and continue to make money and continue to help the game grow, and then it’s all about the next generation and what we feel like the ... women in this league deserve.”
“This is a classic tale of workers vs. billionaires,” said Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy. “WNBA owners are hiding the ball while players are asking for fair pay and better working conditions. That’s why our Texas labor movement stands in strong solidarity with the Dallas Wings and every WNBPA member. To the owners: Pay them what you owe them!”
“Like other workers, players are demanding an equitable share of the business they have built and sustain,” said WNBPA Senior Advisor & Legal Counsel Erin Drake. “Ratings are up. Attendance is up. Team evaluations, sponsorships, expansion fees, and media rights deals are at historic levels. It is past time to make the same kind of history with the player share.”
“Dallas Wings players inspire pride in our community and serve as role models for future generations,” said State Representative Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie). “Their efforts to secure fair compensation and equitable revenue sharing reflect values of dignity and respect that we should all support. I stand with the players and their union as they negotiate for a stronger future for women’s sports.”
The WNBPA, the union for Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) players, has sought support for players in their negotiations for better wages and working conditions in a new contract. Leading up to the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, WNBA players, including Bueckers, wore “Pay Us What You Owe Us” warm-up shirts to advocate for improved compensation.
The WNBA rookie minimum is just $66,000 compared to $1.27 million in the National Basketball Association (NBA). There are just 49 days before the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) deadline.
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The Texas AFL-CIO is the state labor federation consisting of more than 250,000 affiliated union members and advocates for working people in Texas. Learn more at texasaflcio.org