WNBPA Treasurer Brianna Turner fired back at U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman this week after the Indiana Republican criticized the WNBA’s refusal to wear “USA 250” patches during All-Star Weekend.
Brianna Turner Responds After WNBA All-Star USA 250 Patch Backlash
The controversy erupted when the league dropped plans to feature the commemorative emblem on uniforms during the July All-Star festivities in Chicago.
Stutzman, who represents Indiana’s 3rd Congressional District, took aim at the decision on social media. He specifically targeted Turner, bringing up the 2022 Russian detainment of Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner as a political weapon.
The congressman posted a scathing rebuke on social media.
“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. “Another issue Adam Silver should step in to correct.”
However, the internet keeps receipts, as a user on X immediately shared a screenshot of Stutzman’s original, unedited Facebook post.
In that initial version, the congressman reportedly used the phrase “good ole’ stars and bars,” a colloquial reference to the Confederate flag, before allegedly editing the text to read “red, white, and blue.”
Turner didn’t let Stutzman’s comments slide and issued a blunt response.
“Hey @RepStutzman I hope you treat your constituents a bit better than this,” Turner wrote. “Politicians like yourself are a disgrace to America. I spent 6 years of my life in Indiana playing on women’s basketball teams, so it’s actually ironic that an Indiana State rep said this.”
Though not explicitly included in the official announcement, the WNBA initially planned to join other major North American sports leagues in sporting the “USA 250” patch.
“Fanatics to work alongside sports partners to create custom USA 250® patches used on athlete uniforms and fan apparel honoring the country’s milestone during championships and other marquee sports moments this year.”
The branding push was designed to celebrate the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary. The NFL featured the patches during the Super Bowl, and the NBA followed suit during the 2026 NBA Finals.
However, last month, Turner highlighted the historical disconnect and posted: “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 🥲🫠”
Stutzman’s latest remarks are part of a continuing trend of politicians weighing in on WNBA storylines.
Earlier this month, Stutzman and the Republican Study Committee sent a formal letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert demanding accountability over the physical play against Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark.
