Liz Cambage is once again making headlines — and this time, it’s not for her on-court dominance, but for her brutally honest take on how WNBA players should use their platforms to secure the financial stability the league still struggles to provide.

The retired Australian star, known for her outspoken personality and unapologetic confidence, recently went viral after telling current players to “embrace your assets and make your own money — don’t wait for the league to pay you what you’re worth.”

It was classic Cambage — bold, blunt, and impossible to ignore. Her comments have sparked heated debate across sports media, dividing fans and former players alike. But behind the controversy lies an undeniable truth: the WNBA has long faced criticism over its pay structure, and Cambage’s words have reopened a conversation many have avoided for years.

In a candid interview on a popular sports podcast, Cambage didn’t hold back. She claimed that “too many players are waiting for the league to fix their financial situation” and instead should focus on building personal brands, sponsorships, and independent income streams.

“Basketball is temporary, but your image — that’s forever,” she said. “If you’ve got confidence, beauty, and charisma, use it. That’s your currency in 2025.”

It’s not the first time Cambage has challenged the league’s system. During her WNBA career — which spanned stints with the Tulsa Shock, Dallas Wings, and Las Vegas Aces — she was often critical of how players were treated and paid compared to their NBA counterparts.

She frequently clashed with league executives and team management, and even stepped away from the game multiple times, citing burnout and frustration with the WNBA’s environment.

But her latest comments have stirred the pot more than usual because of how directly they address the intersection between athleticism, femininity, and financial empowerment.

Cambage suggested that players could learn from stars in other industries — including models, influencers, and even social media entrepreneurs — who leverage their platforms to earn millions outside of their primary professions.

“The WNBA doesn’t own you,” Cambage said. “You can be a baller and a brand. You can be sexy, strong, confident — all of it. Stop letting people shame you for knowing your worth.”

Unsurprisingly, her remarks drew both praise and backlash. Some WNBA players quietly agreed with her sentiment, saying the league doesn’t yet offer the financial security top athletes deserve. Others criticized her for “objectifying” women’s sports and undermining years of progress toward equality and professionalism.

Former WNBA champion and ESPN analyst Monica McNutt offered a nuanced take on the debate, saying Cambage “makes a point about empowerment,” but warned that “the framing matters.”

McNutt said, “We want women to have freedom — to express themselves and earn however they choose. But we also have to protect the integrity of what they’re building on the court. This can’t turn into a distraction from the game.”

The timing of Cambage’s comments also adds to the controversy. The WNBA has been under intense scrutiny in recent months, with commissioner Cathy Engelbert facing criticism for poor leadership, player dissatisfaction, and widening tension between the league office and its stars.

From Napheesa Collier’s explosive press conference calling out Engelbert to Caitlin Clark’s silence amid league chaos, the WNBA is in a fragile public position.

In that context, Cambage’s comments almost feel like a rebellion — a call for players to take control of their financial and personal narratives without waiting for institutional change. It’s the same mentality that has made her both admired and alienated throughout her career.

Social media, of course, erupted after her interview dropped. Supporters flooded Cambage’s Instagram with applause emojis and comments like “preach, queen” and “you’ve always kept it real.” Critics, however, accused her of promoting the wrong message to young athletes, arguing that success shouldn’t depend on appearance or sexuality.

But Cambage, never one to back down, doubled down online. In a follow-up post, she wrote: “Every woman deserves to capitalize on who she is — athlete or not. The game doesn’t pay enough for you to stay quiet and broke. Do you, always.”

It’s the kind of defiant confidence that defined her career. At 6’8”, Cambage was one of the most dominant and marketable players in the WNBA, known for her ferocious post play and larger-than-life personality.

She once scored 53 points in a single game — still a league record — but her relationship with the WNBA was always complicated. From public disputes with coaches to walking away from the league multiple times, Cambage’s career has been as polarizing as it was brilliant.

Even after retiring, she continues to influence the conversation around women’s basketball — for better or worse. Her unapologetic approach has inspired some younger players to think differently about brand-building.

Players like Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and even Lexie Hull have capitalized on endorsements, fashion, and media appearances to expand their personal brands beyond basketball. In many ways, Cambage’s philosophy is already shaping the next generation.

Still, critics fear that blurring the lines between athlete and influencer could dilute the league’s focus. Former WNBA player and coach Pokey Chatman cautioned that “players need to remember why they’re here — to play the game. You can be marketable, but don’t let the business become bigger than the ball.”

That tension — between sport and spectacle, empowerment and professionalism — has always defined women’s sports, and Cambage’s latest comments thrust it right back into the spotlight.

In truth, Cambage may have simply said what many quietly think: that the financial opportunities in the WNBA are still too small for players to rely on the league alone.

While top stars make six figures, most players earn a fraction of their NBA counterparts, forcing them to play overseas or pursue off-court ventures. Cambage herself made millions from modeling and endorsements during her playing days — something she now encourages others to emulate.

Whether people agree with her or not, Liz Cambage has once again reminded the sports world that women athletes deserve the freedom to control their image and income on their own terms. Her message may be provocative, but it’s rooted in a reality the WNBA can’t ignore forever.

And as one fan put it perfectly on social media:

“You can love her or hate her — but Liz Cambage will always speak the truth no one else will say out loud.”

One thing’s for sure: even in retirement, Liz Cambage refuses to fade quietly into the background. She’s still sparking conversations that challenge the status quo — and forcing the WNBA to confront questions about money, identity, and power that it’s long tried to avoid.