WNBA Players Take Athletic Protests to a New Level

Over the years, WNBA players have stood in solidarity with the victims of the Orlando mass shooting, Colin Kaepernick kneeling against police brutality, gun violence awareness, and the fight for gay rights. At a time when speaking up seems more mandatory than optional, these women continue to set themselves apart from the rest of the professional athletes.

Recently, Atlanta Dream all-star player Renee Montgomery announced that she would be sitting out the upcoming 2020 season to focus on social justice activism. “There’s work to be done off the court in so many areas in our community,” said Montgomery, who won national championships in college and as professional basketball player. “Social justice reform isn’t going to happen overnight but I do feel that now is the time and Moments equal Momentum.”

Atlanta Dream guard Renee Montgomery. Photo from thepeachreview.com

Montgomery started a foundation called the Renee Montgomery Foundation, which aims to help the community. Under her foundation, Montgomery has organized a fundraiser called “Moments Equal Momentum,” which raises money to provide Atlanta protesters with water while they’re on the frontlines.

She, however, isn’t the only player who believes there are more important things to focus on right now. For two consecutive seasons now, Maya Moore has been absent from the WNBA to focus on getting a man, who she believes is innocent, out of prison. At the time of her departure, Moore was arguably one of the best players in the league, leading her team, the Minnesota Lynxs, to four championship titles and was a two-time Olympic Gold medalist.

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In 2018, Moore decided that she would work on the criminal case of Johnathan Irons, who was convicted of burglary and assault with a deadly weapon at 16 years old. Irons, 40, was sentenced to 50 years in prison based on the victim testimony that didn’t include any other concrete evidence, including DNA and fingerprints. Since her support, Moore has managed to help Irons get his case overturned after having already served 23 years.

In addition to Montgomery and Moore, Washington Mystics players LaToya Sanders and Natasha Cloud will sit out the season to support the social justice cause. Recently, the Washington Mystics and Wizards players collaborated and organized a peaceful protest in Washington, D.C., signifying unity.

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The WNBA plans to hold its 22 regular-game season and playoffs at IMG Academy  in Bradenton, Fla., where every team will train, play, and live in a bubble, starting in the beginning of July. The decision to play the 2020 season in Florida raises red flags due to the sharp recent increase of COVID-19 cases in the state.

IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

“We will continue to consult with medical experts and public health officials as well as players, team owners and other stakeholders as we move forward with our execution plan,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

While some players chose to step away from basketball this season, Chicago Sky player Gabby Williams and Phoenix Mercury player Brianna Turner have decided to partake in some form of protest while participating in the 2020 season. 

In a society where athletes are often shamed for addressing social issues, such as Fox News host Laura Ingram’s “shut up and dribble” comment, WNBA players  have managed to use their platforms to speak up and out against social and racial issues that plague our country. While their jobs are to entertain, some things are more important than basketball.