In spite of the much-ballyhooed news regarding the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) which, among many other things, drastically increases player salaries, that still was not enough to get one of the W’s biggest stars to return to the league for the 2020 season.
According to an interview with the New York Times, Moore will indeed sit out the 2020 season just as she did the 2019 season as she continues her push for the release of Jonathan Irons from prison.
Irons is from Jefferson City, Missouri – the same hometown as Moore – and, according to a website that has been advocating for his release, was wrongfully arrested as a teenager after a shooting in a burglary in Jefferson City.
Basketball has not been foremost in my mind. I’ve been able to rest and connect with people around me, actually be in their presence after all of these years on the road. And I’ve been able to be there for Jonathan.
–Maya Moore (per New York Times phone interview)
So much respect for Maya Moore, man. She really walked away from her prime as one of the best basketball players in the world to actually make someone else’s life better https://t.co/Bvn3YDubHL
— Michael Sykes, II (@MikeDSykes) January 22, 2020
Despite this being the second consecutive season that will be without Moore, she told the Times that she is not retired.
Retirement is something that is a big deal, and there is a right way to do it well, and this is not the time for me.
–Maya Moore (per New York Times interview)
Feels a bit uncomfortable even commenting on Maya Moore sitting out another WNBA season as she continues work on criminal justice — as if she needs validation. She doesn’t. Bottom line is wishing her best in her journey, whatever it is. Her hoops legacy – as is – is remarkable.
— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) January 23, 2020
The news not only means Moore will not take the court this season, but also is taking herself out of consideration to be part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic roster for USA Basketball this summer.
Maya Moore has done everything there is to do in basketball. She’s won championships in high school, NCAA, WNBA, EuroLeague, etc. She’s won Olympic gold medals, All Star awards, MVPs, etc. If she wants to focus on something else, so be it. She’s earned that. Literally. #wnba
— Women’s Hoopz (@WomensHoopz) January 22, 2020
I’m proud of Maya Moore doing the work she feels like she’s chosen to do
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) January 22, 2020
NEWS: Statement from Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve on Maya Moore: https://t.co/gMpwDg3ND1
— Lynx PR (@Lynx_PR) January 22, 2020
It’s okay to be sad that Maya Moore isn’t playing this year and super proud of and inspired by the work she’s doing and think women’s basketball is doing just fine without her. Feelings are reality, they’re both complicated. You don’t have to choose.
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) January 22, 2020
