WNBA player says the league shouldn't wear USA 250 patches for the All-Star Game because of slavery

OutKick's Bobby Burack on the newly announced UFC Freedom 250 White House fight card, featuring Topuria vs. Gaethje, and Team USA facing Mexico in the World Baseball Classic on FOX.

In case you forgot, it’s a monumental year for America. We’re celebrating our 250th anniversary as a country. It’s a tremendous occasion, which includes recognition from America’s professional sports leagues. The way those leagues have shown appreciation and recognition of this historic achievement is by wearing USA 250 patches on jerseys.

A Real Salt Lake jersey with a special patch commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States is displayed in the dressing room before the 2026 MLS season opener between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Real Salt Lake at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Feb. 21, 2026. (Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz/Getty Images)

The WNBA hasn’t quite made up their minds, though. That should be of little to no shock to any of you that know about this league. The Seattle Storm officially endorsed Kamala Harris for president during the 2024 election cycle, Brittney Griner and other athletes wore "Kamala Harris For the Culture" t-shirts during warm-ups, and the league is objectively the most left-leaning professional sports league in America. They’ve made that very clear, which would make sense of why they aren’t too fond on the idea of being excited and all-in on the idea of commemorating the country’s birthday. 

On Thursday, after an article from Sportico announced America 250 patches would be worn by players during the July 25 WNBA All-Star Game hosted by the Chicago Sky, it caused quite the uproar from players, fans and media. The WNBA then provided further clarity about nine hours after it was published saying, "Like