Las Vegas Aces forward Brianna Turner criticized the WNBA’s potential use of “USA 250” commemorative jersey patches, arguing the idea ignores slavery’s legacy and the long fight for women’s rights. Her remarks sparked a public backlash and fed into a wider nat
Brianna Turner didn’t wait for the jerseys to roll out.
On June 4. the Las Vegas Aces forward and Las Vegas Aces player Brianna Turner — and a treasurer with the Women’s National Basketball Association Players Association — took to X to challenge a possible WNBA plan to feature “USA 250” commemorative patches on player jerseys. Her message was blunt: she argued the league’s celebration would sit uncomfortably on top of a history that denied freedom to the very people the patches would be worn by.
“No WNBA players would have been free 250 years ago,” Turner wrote, adding in a follow-up post that the majority of players “wouldn’t even have their freedom 100 years ago.”
A WNBA spokesperson later emphasized that no final decision has been made. In an email sent Saturday, the spokesperson said, “Like other major sports leagues, we are exploring how best to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary. Nothing has been finalized at this time.”
Turner returned to the theme in more pointed language. saying the league “should have thought through” what the patches mean and the history they overlook. In a separate post, she wrote, “We are some of the most elite female athletes. 250 years ago we would have been breeders or in the fields working all day. Be so serious rn.”.
Her argument rests on two dates that land hard in American memory: women did not gain the constitutional right to vote nationwide until 1920. and slavery in the U.S. was not abolished until 1865. The post also points to the long aftermath of slavery: legal segregation and discrimination continued for decades. culminating in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. which banned discrimination based on race. color. religion. sex and national origin.
The patch controversy comes as the nation moves toward its 250th anniversary. The “America 250” initiative — promoted by President Donald Trump — is aimed at celebrating the country’s founding and civic ideals through nationwide programming, festivals, and sports partnerships.
In January. the White House and Fanatics announced a partnership with several sports leagues to commemorate the 250th anniversary through uniform patches and other branding initiatives. The WNBA was not among the leagues listed as participants. NBA players have already worn the patches during the Finals.
After reports from Sportico indicated WNBA players would wear the patches during July’s All-Star Game festivities, a league spokesperson clarified that the WNBA has not finalized its position.
Turner’s posts also landed inside a larger cultural fight over commemoration. Supporters of America 250 have described it as a chance to celebrate the nation’s founding and civic ideals. while critics argue the celebrations should confront chapters of U.S. history including slavery, the exclusion of women from voting, and other civil rights struggles.
The criticism drew a rapid counterpunch from the conservative activist Riley Gaines. She replied to a New York Post story about Turner on X, writing, “Why do those of us who have never owned slaves and have never been slaves have to keep accepting this excuse for refusing to celebrate America?”
Gaines added, “I don’t bear responsibility for the actions of people who lived 160 years ago. Just no.”
While the jersey debate has played out online, the 250th anniversary itself is already taking shape on the calendar. The semiquincentennial celebrations are set to include an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) card hosted by Trump at the White House on Flag Day. June 14. which will also coincide with Trump’s 80th birthday.
The Great American State Fair will run from June 25 to July 10 and span from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument. Firework displays are also planned for the 4th of July across the country, including a 40-minute show in Washington run by Freedom 250.
For now, the league patch plan remains undecided. But Turner’s central point — that “USA 250” can’t be separated from the country’s history of stolen freedom — has made the question impossible to ignore as America prepares to celebrate what comes next.
Brianna Turner USA 250 America 250 WNBA Las Vegas Aces jersey patches slavery women's rights Civil Rights Act of 1964 Riley Gaines Trump Flag Day Great American State Fair Freedom 250