WNBA player blasts league for commemorating America's 250th, cites slavery

To celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday, numerous professional sports leagues have featured a USA 250 patch on the game jerseys of major competitions.

In the Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots had the design embroidered on their jerseys. Currently, the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are wearing the patch in the NBA Finals.

'250 years ago we would have been breeders or in the fields working all day.'

However, when it comes to the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game in late July, Las Vegas Aces forward Brianna Turner blasted the idea on her X account, calling out "the irony of all the USA 250 stuff."

"Whoever called for the WNBA all star uniforms to have the USA 250 patch should have thought that through considering no WNBA players would have been free 250 years ago. The majority wouldn't even have their freedom 100 years ago," Turner posted.

Sportico originally reported that the red, white, and blue patches would make an appearance on the WNBA All-Star jerseys, but after massive backlash on social media, a spokeswoman for the league told USA Today in a statement: "Like other major sports leagues, we are exploring how best to commemorate the country's 250th anniversary. Nothing has been finalized at this time."

The plan for the patch was revealed back in January by Fanatics in an agreement with President Trump and America250 — the organization established by Congress to head the celebration of the country's 250th birthday. In that announcement, the MLB, MLS, NASCAR, NBA, NFL, NHL, UFC, and WWE were all highlighted as part of the agreement. Notably, the WNBA was not listed.

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Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz/Getty Images

In 2025, approximately 64% of WNBA players identified as black. Turner followed up her post on X with another comment focusing on that statistic: “250 years ago we would have been breeders or in the fields working all day.”

Trump has received much criticism from WNBA players throughout his political career. In 2024, several New York Liberty players wore Kamala Harris shirts in support of her bid for president.

Two-time MVP Breanna Stewart held up a sign that read, “Abolish ICE,” before the start of a January game. The act of protest came in the aftermath of the Alex Pretti killing.

"Yesss I know this was probably a financial decision at the end of the day but still," Turner said.

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