Even with no basketball being played, Natasha Cloud of the defending WNBA champion Washington Mystics is as much of one off the court as she is on it.
In addition to winning a ring last year in Washington, she has also been one of the most notable WNBA stars that has used her voice to lend support and awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement and the issue of systemic racism in this country.
Cloud is also making moves away from the court as she landed an endorsement deal through Converse. It made her the first woman athlete signed to the Nike-owned shoe brand since it relaunched its basketball endeavors.
Congratulations to @T_Cloud4 and to @Converse for leading by example and reminding us that outspoken integrity is a strength everyone should want on their team. https://t.co/wmFfUShLw3
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 8, 2020
“The biggest thing is for me to use my platform as a microphone. That’s the goal, be a voice for the voiceless.” – @T_Cloud4.
We are both proud and humbled to welcome WNBA champion @T_Cloud4 to the family. pic.twitter.com/0NTqqWCJUi
— Converse (@Converse) June 8, 2020
Listen…the way @Converse supports @T_Cloud4 with not only vocal advocacy, but financially (giving back to the community), is admirable. Also, the fact they encourage Tash’s outspokenness is just so bomb.
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) June 8, 2020
.@T_Cloud4 is the first woman to sign a shoe deal with Converse
• They delayed the announcement so Cloud could focus on her response to George Floyd’s death
• Converse donated $25K to a racial justice group in Philly
• They’ll also release a short film about Cloud’s advocacy pic.twitter.com/wxXdoM7Ssd— SB Nation (@SBNation) June 8, 2020
She attended a protest in Philadelphia and also penned an article in The Players’ Tribune where she called out any athlete who is silent on the topic of systemic racism.
