Things just took an interesting turn in the WNBA world, and some players are NOT happy.
This week, the Phoenix Mercury, New York Liberty and Indiana Fever were each fined $5,000 after its players wore back warm-up T-shirts in solidarity of the recent shootings that have plagued the country over the past few weeks. Each player on these 3 teams were also fined $500 each for participating in this gesture of activissm. Despite ththe fact that the shirts were by the league’s official brand, Adidas, the players were in violation of league rules, which state that uniforms cannot be altered in any way. The Fever and Mercury donned the shirts duriing Tuesday’s match ups, while the Liberty have already worn the shirts 4 times.
WNBA President Lisa Borders released a statement to the Associated Press about the matter:
“We are proud of WNBA players’ engagement and passionate advocacy for non-violent solutions to difficult social issues but expect them to comply with the league’s uniform guidelines.”
This news comes just weeks after the Minnesota Lynx received backlash from several off-duty Minnesota police officers after they wore black t-shirts remembering the lives of 2 unarmed black men and 5 Dallas police officers who were all slain in one week. This also comes after the Liberty decided to remove the hashtags #BlackLivesMatter and #Dallas5 that were originally on the shirts.
One player who has been very vocal about their disappointment in the league’s decision are Mercury forward Mistie Bass, who took to Twitter to express their concerns:
So the @WNBA fined teams 5k and $500 each player for wearing Plain black “Adidas” shirts for warm ups! Athletes Unite! Silence no more!
— Mistie Bass (@A_Phoenix_Born) July 20, 2016
Why @WNBA https://t.co/qBnTmaTwXq
— Mistie Bass (@A_Phoenix_Born) July 21, 2016
Don’t say we have a voice and then fine us because we use it. #notpuppets #cutthestrings
— Mistie Bass (@A_Phoenix_Born) July 21, 2016
I would hope the league would feel the same way about our desire 2 use this platform 4 the recent tragedies! #taboopic.twitter.com/agtKlYovOu
— Mistie Bass (@A_Phoenix_Born) July 21, 2016
Mercury center Kelsey Bone was also very unhappy about the league’s actions:
5k a team $500 a player… For a tshirt?
— Sophia Petrillheaux (@kelseybone3) July 20, 2016
When the shooting in Orlando happened the WNBA immediately sent shirts for us to wear to show support..
— Sophia Petrillheaux (@kelseybone3) July 20, 2016
As a league with Players and fans a part of the LGBT community that's exactly what should have been done…
— Sophia Petrillheaux (@kelseybone3) July 20, 2016
As players we have been trying to figure out where were the shirts to support the events going on in our country recently…
— Sophia Petrillheaux (@kelseybone3) July 20, 2016
We were told a statement had been made and that was that…
— Sophia Petrillheaux (@kelseybone3) July 20, 2016
So some teams decided to take matters in their own hands.
— Sophia Petrillheaux (@kelseybone3) July 20, 2016
I think it's sick that we are being punished for supporting a matter that affects majority of us personally…
— Sophia Petrillheaux (@kelseybone3) July 20, 2016
Why support one cause that effects our country and not another?
— Sophia Petrillheaux (@kelseybone3) July 20, 2016
As our league take a month long break for the olympics you tell us shirts will be made for our first game back…
— Sophia Petrillheaux (@kelseybone3) July 20, 2016
Fine me until the end of time! I have a 14 year old brother growing up in this country.
— Sophia Petrillheaux (@kelseybone3) July 20, 2016
In a time where our league is searching for relevance why not take a stand and support your players on issues that effect majority of them
— Sophia Petrillheaux (@kelseybone3) July 20, 2016
While players should always comply with the leagues rules and expectations, it’s also disheartening to see that they are being penalized for using their platform despite finding ways to compromise. We’ll have to see how this plays out.
(Original Story: ESPN.com)
