The WNBA All-Star Game recently took place, and if you hadn’t heard about it, you’re not alone. It’s likely that very few people were aware of this event, which speaks volumes about the league’s presence in the sports world. This obscurity, however, hasn’t stopped some WNBA players from demanding more money for their on-court contributions. They took to the court wearing shirts that read “Pay us what you owe us,” a bold statement emphasizing their desire for higher wages. The irony here is that the league remains unprofitable, despite a recent spike in interest due to standout player Caitlyn Clark.

Caitlyn Clark is a talent that has unexpectedly managed to capture some attention in the WNBA. Yet, it seems the rest of the league is under the illusion that they bring similar value to the table. The stark reality is that if most players left the organization, no one would notice. Clark, on the other hand, single-handedly draws interest, proving that her value is indeed substantial. For many of the others, though, their worth as basketball players is, to put it mildly, negligible.

There’s an important lesson in understanding one’s value within a professional context, which some WNBA players seem to have missed. Personal worth as a human being is incalculable, but in the world of business, an employee’s worth directly correlates to their contribution. If one were to vanish from their role, and the organization carried on seamlessly, it’s a sign that their demands for higher pay may be unwarranted. Caitlyn Clark, however, represents the contrary; her absence would signify a significant loss, justifying any demand for higher compensation.

There’s also an alarming trend where employees, not just in sports but across industries, lack clarity on their professional value. The idea that one’s salary should be disconnected from the revenue they help generate is preposterous. Businesses thrive because of profits, and those profits come from employees adding tangible value. When a worker does not understand this, it demonstrates a broader misunderstanding of professional dynamics. The unfortunate truth for many WNBA players is that their contribution doesn’t match their salary expectations.

Instead of rallying behind ill-fated demands, athletes who aren’t generating significant attention might do better to focus on improving their performance and drawing their worth from actual achievements on the court. If these players wish to secure a future in their sport, they must understand the importance of making themselves indispensable. Unlike the standout Caitlyn Clark, most remain replaceable, and it’s their responsibility to change that narrative by offering undeniable contributions to earn the compensation they desire.