Kelsey Plum Says Viral Comments on Caitlin Clark's WNBA ASG Team Were 'Bad Joke'

Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum said it was a poor attempt at humor when she gave the impression that players from the All-Star team captained by Caitlin Clark were mentally checked out during an important meeting prior to the contest.

Plum told reporters after the All-Star Game that "zero members of Team Clark were very present" when players decided to have a show of solidarity and wear shirts that read, "Pay Us What You Owe Us."

The four-time All-Star addressed those remarks on Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird. She said she "made a really bad joke" centered around the fact that Team Collier, Plum's squad, had been christened "Team Hangover" thanks to how much they seemed to enjoy All-Star Weekend.

Based on Plum's delivery of the remark in the All-Star post-game presser, one could've surmised she was being less than serious. But she conceded that wasn't the right setting to make any joke in relation to ongoing negotiations over the collective bargaining agreement.

The current CBA expires after the 2025 and the next deal could be a monumental one for players.

A massive media rights deal and expansion fees reaching $250 million are signs of the WNBA's robust financial health. With league revenues soaring, there are myriad issues the players' union will try to tackle in the CBA.

To this point, it doesn't sound as though negotiations are progressing much.

The All-Star T-shirts were a way to keep building popular support among fans toward their cause and send a clear message to WNBA owners.