In two years of this presidency, we have noticed that only champions from the realm of men’s sports have received invites to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue – a stark contrast to previous presidencies, both Democratic and Republican.
Champions of women’s sports – including the 2017 WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx – have consistently received the cold shoulder from this current administration. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who is running to be the country’s 46th president, called the 45th out via her Twitter account.
In two years, @realDonaldTrump hasn’t managed to invite a single women’s championship sports team for a solo event at the White House.
Here’s a campaign promise: If I get elected, I won’t just invite them to the White House — I’ll go on the bus! https://t.co/MlVQr4bYzL
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) March 6, 2019
This is not the first time that Klobuchar noted the White House’s consistent slighting of the accomplishments of women’s athletes. She first noted the issue in 2018.
Last season, when the Lynx traveled to Washington, D.C. prior to a game vs. the Mystics, they took part in a sneaker drive at a local elementary school in lieu of the lack of a White House invite.
One wonders, though, if the concept of the White House invite would mean much nowadays given this administration has rewarded even some men’s sports champions with fast food – including the Clemson national champion football team.
Lynx coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve was on CNN recently and shared her take on the issue.
I would’ve made sure that all the participants had a say in this. And, again, if somebody didn’t want to go, they didn’t have to go. But as a group, we would’ve gone. We would have represented the Minnesota Lynx at the White House.
–Cheryl Reeve (per CNN)
An important point was raised during the interview – some individual players and entire teams – including the Golden State Warriors – have decided to pass on the stop at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Sue Bird said to the Seattle Times after the Storm won the 2018 WNBA title that her team would have declined an invite even if they were offered which – up to today – they have not been.
