The WNBA is planning to have its biggest stars wear USA 250 patches during this year’s All-Star Game, according to multiple people familiar with the plans, joining a handful of other leagues committed to publicly commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The red, white and blue patches were unveiled earlier this year by Fanatics in partnership with President Donald Trump. The league will have the patch added to jerseys during their All-Star Game on July 25 in Chicago, said the people, who were granted anonymity because the details have not yet been announced.
The WNBA was not part of the formal January announcement when the NBA, NFL, MLB, UFC and NASCAR—among others—announced that their athletes would wear the patch during various big events. Many WNBA players have also criticized Trump’s politics during both of his terms in the White House, pushing back on the president more than any other athletes in major U.S. leagues.
The semiquincentennial could be a difficult celebration to navigate for some sports leagues, particularly ones like the WNBA with a heavy contingent of players and fans who disagree with Trump’s policies and rhetoric. That will likely grow even more delicate as the planned 250th festivities grow more political. The UFC event marking the occasion will take place at the White House on June 14, Trump’s birthday; the president said earlier this week that a planned musical concert on the National Mall should be replaced with a MAGA rally after numerous performers dropped out.
