WNBA non-committal – The WNBA said it is still exploring whether to add USA 250-themed patches to 2026 All-Star Game jerseys after a report suggested the league’s biggest stars would wear the “USA 250” mark. The uncertainty comes amid a broader push from the Trump White House and
Chicago Sky-hosted WNBA All-Star weekend is still months away, but the uniforms are already becoming a political flashpoint.
The league on Thursday did not commit to adding America-themed patches to the 2026 All-Star Game jerseys, even as a report indicated the WNBA could be among leagues moving toward the “USA 250” look this summer.
Sportico reported Thursday that the WNBA plans to have its biggest stars wear “USA 250” patches during this year’s All-Star Game. When contacted. the WNBA issued a brief 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 250th anniversary effort has already been rolling across major U.S. sports. In January. President Donald Trump’s White House announced that most major North American sports leagues agreed to wear patches commemorating the United States’ 250th birthday this year. The announcement came in a joint news release involving the White House. the sports merchandising company Fanatics. and the participating leagues.
The organizing structure behind the celebration traces back to Congress. America250 is a nonprofit created by Congress to oversee commemoration of the United States’ founding in 1776.
Still, the WNBA’s absence from the original January news release mattered. The WNBA, along with the NWSL and the PGA Tour, were not listed in the initial release. Fanatics is partnered with the PGA, but not with the WNBA or NWSL.
In Chicago, the league will host WNBA All-Star weekend on July 24-26, with the Chicago Sky serving as host.
The debate over the patches sharpened Thursday night when Las Vegas Aces forward Brianna Turner. treasurer of the WNBA players’ association. criticized the idea of a “USA 250” uniform mark in a social media post. Turner wrote: “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 added: “know this was probably a financial decision at the end of the day but still…” and continued, “We are some of the most elite female athletes. 250 years ago we would have been breeders or in the fields working all day.”
That reaction lands against a backdrop where several other major leagues have already embraced the patch concept. 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. and “250” embroidered on top of vertical red and white stripes. Wrestlers wore similar patches during WWE’s WrestleMania in April.
During the NBA Finals, the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs have both been wearing the patch.
The NHL committed to participation in the USA250 celebration, but specifics were not determined at the time of the January release. Teams did not appear to be wearing the patch during the Stanley Cup Final, which is happening now.
Baseball has been more definite in rollout: all MLB and minor league baseball teams will wear the patches for games on July 4, along with players who participate in the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. Other participants listed in the broader effort include MLS teams and NASCAR.
For the WNBA, the central tension is simple: while other sports have already moved forward with patch details, the league’s own statement says no decision is locked in.
The patch conversation is unfolding as Trump also pushed for public celebration. On Thursday, he announced a mass rally in Washington on June 24 to celebrate the milestone anniversary. He called it the “greatest rally EVER. ” and said he had canceled the previously planned concerts after several artists pulled out.
Between a national commemoration push, other leagues’ visible adoption, and Turner’s pointed objections from inside the players’ association, the WNBA’s next move may determine whether the All-Star uniform becomes another outlet for the anniversary—or a rare holdout amid the momentum.
WNBA USA 250 America250 All-Star Game jerseys Fanatics Trump White House Brianna Turner player association Chicago Sky sports merchandising NFL Super Bowl patches NBA Finals patches MLS NASCAR
So they are wearing it or not? sounds like marketing nonsense.
Wild that they’re making jersey patches into politics already. Like can’t we just watch basketball? Also WNBA gets left out of stuff a lot so idk why people surprised.
Trump’s team said most leagues would do USA 250 so WNBA should’ve just followed, right? This “exploring” thing feels like they’re scared of backlash from one side or the other. Next thing you know they’ll have flags on the court.
USA 250 patch sounds like a Fanatics thing, so they’re probably waiting on whoever pays. The article says Congress made some nonprofit, which is… weird? I don’t even know what America250 is but if it’s mandatory, that’s kinda messed up. I’m sure the Chicago Sky will still do it at the All-Star weekend though.