By this time next week, we will firmly have an idea on what the results of what has been an unforgettable election season has been.
It feels as if election season began yesterday, but we are indeed in the home stretch of this thing.
Recently, when the New York Liberty were crowned WNBA champions and were serenaded with a parade down the Canyon of Heroes plus a victory celebration at Barclays Center, we could not help but think about a set of Liberty fits from earlier in the season.
Those photos were taken prior to a Liberty contest at Barclays Center vs. the Seattle Storm in early February. New York won that game by a final score of 77-70 over the Storm, but we could not help given the vibe of this race if that fits were indeed an omen.
Speaking of the Storm, the team itself also had no problems re-entering the political chat as well.
The franchise announced on its various social media accounts that it would be endorsing the Democratic presidential campaign of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
This is nothing new for the Storm. Remember that four years ago, the Storm did the same thing as they endorsed the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris ticket. Let us also remember that the Storm has an all-woman ownership group that includes Dawn Trudeau, Lisa Brummel and Ginny Gilder.
The Storm, as have the Liberty, understand the assignment, the significance of this election and the importance of ensuring Team Blue is victorious around this same time next week.
Speaking of the Storm, if there is anyone from that franchise’s history that may be synonymous with the identity of that franchise, it is Sue Bird.
Bird and Megan Rapinoe have been unapologetic over the years when it comes to advocating for progressive causes. Bird was a guest on a recent episode of Khristina Williams’ iHeartMedia podcast “In Case You Missed It…” where she gave her take on the high stakes of this election.
At the end of the day, voting is really … one of the guaranteed ways to have your voice heard. One of the guaranteed ways to have impact. And I know at times it can feel like, ‘Oh I’m just one vote,’ but, obviously if thousands of people or millions of people thought that, then we’d be in a be in a bad spot. So, with that, not only is it the one way you’re guaranteed (to have your voice heard), I feel like the other part of it is everybody has things they care about. So to piggyback off that, this is the one way that the things that you care about, you can have a voice in that as well.
–Sue Bird (In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams)
The episode with Bird dropped early in October – roughly one month following the lone presidential debate of this cycle since Harris ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket following President Joe Biden withdrawing from the race in July. Biden’s drop out occurred the day after the WNBA’s All-Star Game in Phoenix emanated from the Footprint Center – the home court of the Mercury.
Bird mentioned that she got nervous regarding that debate because she – like tens of millions of others who have had it with TFG – wanted Harris to do well.
Yeah, this election is important. And, yeah it makes me nervous. I’ve actually had a really hard time watching the debates because I just get this … almost like some sort of performance anxiety for Kamala Harris where I’m like, ‘Oh God, I want her to do well so bad,’ I can only imagine it’s like – not that this is equivalent at all – but watching your kid do something. Like you just want it so bad.
–Sue Bird (In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams)
Needless to say, Harris did more than do well. That ABC debate in Philadelphia was all Harris all the time – and the main reason as to why TFG backed out of a second debate because he did not want any more smoke.
Bird also mentioned in that interview with Williams that she wanted young people – many of whom are active on social media – to separate truth from facts. This is especially the case given the individual who runs one of the largest social media platforms is also ardently backing you-know-who.
But, yeah, the other thing I feel like I would just encourage people to do is understand what’s at stake. And really…to be honest where that segues to is social media. Like, do not believe what you see on social media … good or bad. You have to look stuff up.
–Sue Bird (In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams)
That “For You” page (on Twitter X) is dangerous. It doesn’t matter what we’re talking about, that “For You” page is dangerous, it is set up right now to push different agendas and different narratives in your face based on what you might be interested in. So, I really encourage people – especially younger people – if you see something on social media … this is the right moment to go ahead and do your own research. Don’t just believe it because you see a headline. That’s something we’re learning in women’s basketball, I think it’s something that we’re learning across the board – it definitely exists in politics as well.
–Sue Bird (In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams)
Of course, if there is any WNBA player that is always up to speed on all things in the political space, it is Natasha Cloud of the Phoenix Mercury.
When the Storm revealed its endorsement of Harris and Walz on social media, Cloud had a one-word quote tweet.
Also – the WNBA itself has launched an initiative with Rock The Vote to increase election awareness. One of its recent social media posts includes a message from Indiana Fever star center Aliyah Boston.
Not only that, but Uninterrupted is entering the political chat as well. The organization, founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, gathered a group of well-known athletes in an eleventh hour push to get as many people to the polls as possible.
The above video includes A’ja Wilson, Renee Montgomery, Jewell Loyd and Napheesa Collier as well as C.J. McCollum.
Another noteworthy WNBA luminary getting involved is, fittingly, a Madame President.
Nneka Ogwumike is not only the president of the WNBPA, she also leads James’ More Than A Vote voter advocacy organization. She was a recent guest on “Spolitics” which is Jemele Hill’s new podcast and discussed not only how important the 2024 election is but if the WNBA will still the same activist WNBA we have seen.
Ogwumike does raise an interesting question that has been a less-than-talked about reality within the W discourse. As the WNBA becomes more popular and as more money enters the W, it runs the risk of losing its progressive identity in favor of catering to a more apolitical audience. No longer staying true to oneself in favor of more eyeballs is not a flex that the WNBA ought to be embracing or entertaining.
At this stage, in-person early or Election Day voting is likely our best bet – especially if one lives in a battleground state with so much uncertainty about mail. As tight as polls are, these last few days will likely decide this thing. Whatever your plan is, make sure you have one – and to stay in line if Nov. 5 is the plan.
One more time – Angel Reese said. It. Best.
