WNBA non-committal on Trump White House's USA jersey patches for All-Stars
WNBA non-committal on Trump White House's USA jersey patches for All-Stars
Callie Fin, USA TODAYFri, June 5, 2026 at 4:19 AM UTC
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The WNBA isn't committed to adding America-themed patches to 2026 All-Star Game jerseys. The league didn't rule out the idea, either.
A report from Sportico published on Thursday said the league plans to have its biggest stars wear USA 250 patches during this year's All-Star Game.
When contacted by USA TODAY, the WNBA provided a brief statement addressing the report.
"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 league said.
In January, it was announced most major North American sports leagues had agreed to wear patches commemorating the United States' 250th birthday this year. The news came in a joint news release from President Donald Trump's White House, the sports merchandising company Fanatics and the participating leagues.
America250 is a nonprofit created by Congress to oversee commemoration of the United States' founding in 1776.
The WNBA, along with the NWSL and the PGA Tour, were among the major pro sports organizations not listed in the original news release. Fanatics is partnered with the PGA, but not with the WNBA or NWSL.
WNBA All-Star weekend will be hosted by the Chicago Sky July 24-26.
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Las Vegas Aces forward Brianna Turner, treasurer of the WNBA player's association, offered a critical take on the patches via social media on Thursday night.
"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 wrote. "know this was probably a financial decision at the end of the day but still...
"We are some of the most elite female athletes. 250 years ago we would have been breeders or in the fields working all day."
A WNBA logo is shown on the court before a game.
When the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots in the NFL's Super Bowl in February, both teams wore a blue jersey patch with "USA" in white and red trim. The patch also included the numbers "250" embroidered on top of vertical red and white stripes. They were also worn by wrestlers during WWE's WrestleMania in April.
As the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs currently compete for in the NBA Finals, both teams are wearing the patch.
The NHL committed to participation in the USA250 celebration, but specifics were not determined at the time of the release. Teams do not appear to be wearing the patch during the Stanley Cup Final, which is happening now.
All MLB and minor league baseball teams will wear them for games on July 4, along with players who participate in the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. Other participants included MLS teams and NASCAR.
The efforts are part of a large push from Trump, who on Thursday announced a mass rally in Washington on June 24 to celebrate the country's milestone anniversary. He said it will be the "greatest rally EVER," saying he had canceled the previously planned concerts after several artists pulled out.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA non-committal on Trump White House's USA jersey patches for All-Stars
Source: “AOL Sports”
