Claim: The WNBA scrapped its planned “USA 250” patriotic patches for All-Star jerseys after the WNBPA rejected the proposal.

To commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, major sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NASCAR, UFC, and WWE, featured “USA 250” patches on uniforms and event gear. So, it wasn’t surprising when Sportico reported on June 4 that the WNBA planned to add the commemorative patches to its All-Star Game jerseys. 

However, the reported plan quickly drew criticism from WNBPA treasurer Brianna Turner, who responded on social media the very same day.

“The irony of all the USA 250 stuff is that the vast majority of people in America today would not have been ‘free’ 250 years ago 🥲🫠,” she wrote on X. “… 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 [had] their freedom 100 years ago.”

When the WNBA All-Star Game took place on July 25, 2026, the planned “USA 250” patches were nowhere to be seen. Instead, the league marked the nation’s anniversary with America250 signage and tributes honoring veterans and military families. The absence of the patches sparked criticism from many observers, including Representative Marlin Stutzman, who suggested the decision stemmed from pressure by the WNBPA.

“Let’s hope that Brianna Turner or any other players who agree with this short-sighted WNPBA blunder never wind up in a situation like Brittney Griner and need the good ole’ red, white, and blue to come to their rescue,” Stutzman wrote on X. “Another issue Adam Silver should step in to correct.”

But was that really the case? Did the WNBPA play a role in the WNBA’s decision to abandon the “USA 250” patches? Here’s what we found.

Verdict: Unsubstantiated

While Turner’s stance on the issue was unmistakable, there is no concrete evidence that she or anyone else from the WNBPA asked the WNBA to remove the patches. 

After the Sportico report was published, the players’ union confirmed that it had contacted the league about the matter. However, the WNBPA maintains that it never requested the patches be removed.

“The league did not seek union input nor was the matter put before player leadership for action,” the WNBPA told OutKick/Fox News Digital.

The union also said the WNBA had not made a final decision regarding the “USA250” patches at the time of those discussions. However, that still does not explain why the patches ultimately did not appear on the All-Star Game uniforms. The league has not publicly explained why it opted against using the commemorative patches. Instead, it issued a broader statement highlighting its plans to honor military veterans and military families while celebrating America250 through arena signage.

The players did raise the issue with the league following the initial Sportico report, a fact confirmed by WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike.

“As players, we did ask about it,” Ogwumike told reporters one day before the All-Star Game. “I think being in a league where you’re able to have that type of conversation with your leadership is important.”

A day before the game, WNBPA executive committee member Breanna Stewart was also asked whether the patches would appear on the uniforms. She confirmed that they would not.

“No, they’re not on the jerseys,” Stewart said.

Neither Ogwumike nor Stewart, however, said whether the players had objected to the patches themselves. As a result, the biggest unanswered question remains what exactly transpired after the Sportico report. With the WNBA declining to explain why the patches were ultimately left off the uniforms, the circumstances surrounding the decision remain unclear.

Our fact-checking sources:

• Sportico, June 4, 2026. WNBA All-Stars, Including Trump Critics, Set to Don USA 250 Patch
• Brianna Turner, June 5, 2026. Turner’s X post
• The Comeback, July 27, 2026. ‘WNBA hates America’: Criticism mounts after ‘shameful’ decision
• Rep. Marlin Stutzman, July 27, 2026. Stutzman’s X post
• OutKick, July 26, 2026. WNBPA says it did not ask WNBA to drop USA 250 All-Star patch after union officer publicly objected
• OutKick, July 27, 2026. WNBA responds to questions about missing USA 250 patch at All-Star Game but dodges key details
• USA Today, July 24, 2026. WNBA All-Stars not wearing USA 250 patches on uniforms: ‘Difficult balancing act’