A day after the 2026 WNBA All-Star starters were released, controversy has erupted after it was revealed that less than half of the league’s players actually submitted ballots.
Reports also claim that some Los Angeles Sparks players did not receive their ballots and thus could not vote.
WNBA Fans React as Controversy Erupts Over Sparks Players Not Getting All-Star Ballots
Sparks superstar Kelsey Plum notably finished seventh in the voting for guards, missing out on a starting spot in the All-Star Game. The 31-year-old finished 12th in the player voting for guards, fifth in the media voting, and sixth in the fan vote.
The Athletic reported that the Sparks players did not receive ballots before the results were released on X. The report added that some players did not receive the email or weren’t made aware of it until after the deadline had passed. Player votes accounted for 25% of the total, with fan votes accounting for 50%.
“Missing ballots in LA? A number of Sparks players never received their All-Star ballots, a source familiar confirmed to The Athletic. Kelsey Plum, the league’s second leading scorer, finished 12th in player votes,” she wrote.
The WNBA world shared its thoughts as yet another controversy erupted surrounding the All-Star Game. One fan took a dig at WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
“This league is rigged and Cathy not hiding it,” they wrote on X.
This league is rigged and Cathy not hiding it 😭😭😭
— It girl (@deeedooB) July 3, 2026
Another user pointed out the bizarre nature of the situation, given Nneka Ogwumike is the WNBPA president.
“seems weird considering NO is the president of the WNBPA, like someone would be more on top of it, but this is Cathy’s league after all,” they wrote.
Missing ballots in LA?
A number of Sparks players never received their All-Star ballots, a source familiar confirmed to The Athletic.
Kelsey Plum, the league’s second leading scorer, finished 12th in player votes. https://t.co/kogLMCR2eJ
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) July 3, 2026
More fans criticized Engelbert amid the WNBA’s latest controversy.
“This league is a joke! Tell Cathy to get her [expletive] together,” one wrote.
Missing ballots in LA?
A number of Sparks players never received their All-Star ballots, a source familiar confirmed to The Athletic.
Kelsey Plum, the league’s second leading scorer, finished 12th in player votes. https://t.co/kogLMCR2eJ
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) July 3, 2026
Another questioned how Plum did not get a WNBA All-Star starting nod.
“Me: Sparks failing Kelsey Plum. Report: Sparks did not give their players all-star ballots. She’s averaging 24 & 6… This unreal,” they wrote.
Me: Sparks failing Kelsey Plum
Report: Sparks did not give their players all-star ballots
She’s averaging 24 & 6… This unreal. https://t.co/CM5gGQVllN
— ¢ (@C_A_R_L_A_M_A_R) July 3, 2026
The ballot controversy follows Caitlin Clark being ranked as the 11th best guard among the WNBA players, which also stirred controversy among supporters.
Meanwhile, Plum is enjoying another stellar year in the WNBA and is the league’s second-highest scorer, averaging 23.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game. The guard has established herself as one of the top players in the league and is already a two-time WNBA champion and four-time WNBA All-Star.
