“I Made a Bad Joke…” Kelsey Plum Clarifies Controversial Diss At Caitlin Clark’s All-Star Team

Kelsey Plum and Caitlin Clark are generally good with each other, but the All-Star team joke backfired for the veteran guard.

“I Made a Bad Joke…” Kelsey Plum Clarifies Controversial Diss At Caitlin Clark’s All-Star Team

Kelsey Plum's joke on Caitlin Clark's All-Star team backfired (Image via FirstSportz)

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Kelsey Plum has generally had a good relationship with Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark ever since she came into the WNBA. The two guards generally troll each other and share a few jokes whenever they meet.

At last season’s All-Star game, Plum pressed Clark full court, and the two were smiling about it. This time, the latter had the chance to troll the veteran guard again. She held up her teammate, Lexie Hull’s jersey, when Plum and the other 3-point competitors walked by.

The Sparks guard acknowledged the troll and hugged Clark. On the following day after the All-Star game, the former tried to get back at the reigning Rookie of the Year and subtly dissed Clark’s All-Star team.

That ended up backfiring as fans and many in the media called Plum out for revealing things she should not have, especially when the players were trying to stay united for a cause. While on Sue Bird‘s podcast, Bird’s Eye View, she clarified her stance.

I made a bad joke… Hindsight 2020, because of the shirts, because of the fans, I should’ve known it was a way more serious moment than a typical All-Star game. I was making a joke that they’re hungover, even though our team nickname was hungover. Obviously, we’re all on the same page, all unified.

Kelsey Plum said

The 30-year-old clarified that she was in a victory mood after winning the All-Star game. That prompted her to try and make the most of it. But it ended up backfiring, and Kelsey Plum admitted she should have read the situation better.

Kelsey Plum and Sue Bird clarify Caitlin Clark’s 9th-place All-Star voting

Another touching point entering the All-Star weekend was when it was revealed that the other players had voted Caitlin Clark 9th best among guards. Sue Bird and Kelsey Plum were talking about it as the latter was ranked 16th. The legend then explained how players vote.

I remember when I voted as a player. This is who I voted for: all the Storm. I have 2 spots left, who are my friends.

Sue Bird said
Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum usually joke around when they are around each other
Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum usually joke around when they are around each other (Image via Open Source/X)

The Sparks guard agreed and clarified that there were only 4 voting spots for guards, which means it was a wide pool, and players would usually vote for their teammates and their friends.

That explains why she was rated 16th, and former teammate Jackie Young was rated 12th. Plum reiterated that there is no way the two, along with Caitlin Clark, are actually that low among the league’s best guards.

WNBA players turned down $1 million salaries in new CBA proposal

Kelsey Plum’s ill-timed joke might have taken the gloss out of what the players are trying. They want the WNBA to pay them more in the upcoming CBA, but the owners and commissioner Cathy Engelbert are playing hardball.

According to ESPN’s Michael Voepel and Kevin Pelton, the league’s latest offer would quadruple the current salaries. So the top players earning $249,244 would earn $1 million per season.

That means the No. 1 overall pick next season would sign a 4-year, $1.2 million contract, as opposed to the $300K Caitlin Clark gets over a similar timeline. However, the players have not accepted the proposal.

It’s basically the same system that we exist in right now. They’re proposing a system that includes revenue that would grow with the business. When you approach it from the perspective of their response to our proposal, yes, money is more, but ultimately, if you look at the growth of the business, the money relative to the percentage of everything is virtually staying the same.

WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike said to ESPN

This means the $1 million maximum salary is based purely on the increase in revenue. It is not due to a change in the percentage of revenue shared.

WNBA players have been demanding a greater revenue share. If they get their way, it could lead to top players earning a lot more than $1 million a season.

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