The players only discussed the Black Lives Matter movement, their desire to use their platforms as professional athletes to make statements, and the fines. Nothing concrete was decided.
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“I don’t see no reason to fine them”.
The league was not at all impressed by the manner in which the players chose to show their support.
“I think it’s very important because we play on a platform”. Instead, they would only answer questions that pertained to the issues they wanted to address and were protesting.
Other WNBA players who have taken a stand by wearing the shirts include Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Lindsey Whalen and Rebekkah Brunson.
Right now the players aren’t happy.
Earlier this month, the Phoenix Mercury, Indiana Fever, and New York Liberty all wore attire during warm-ups that supported Black Lives Matter and the murdered Dallas police officers before several different games. The normal fine for a uniform violation is $200.
Thankfully, members of a few WNBA teams were not swayed by the trouble that awaited them. The Minnesota Lynx wore Black Lives Matter T-Shirts, and the off-duty police officers who were posing as security guards left the venue because of it.
“The majority of this league is made up of black women, so this is something that directly affects us”, she said. “So we want them to stand with us and support this as well”.
“Having said those things, then the actions speak way louder than whatever your comments are. If anything you should want to support them”, Anthony told ESPN Thursday. Players have already been given this stage to express themselves - is a shirt manufacturer really enough to draw a line? He also reminded them that wearing the shirts during warmups was in violation of National Basketball Association policy. WNBA rules state that uniforms may not be altered in any way.
Wrote another: “FEVER wearing Black Lives Matter shirts. get the hell out of town”. It’s not a race issue, not an anti-police issue, not a black or white issue.
The fine of $500 is abut 1/80th of the players’ salaries. They were just disappointed. If anybody was going to wear it, I know it had to be me, so for me personally it’s just all about me continuing to raise awareness. “They don’t want this to die out”.
Jackson said the union’s legal team is looking into what it can do about the fines, which she called excessive. Pride, they support. “Go green” initiatives, they support. “That was declined by the league”.
Shortly after Silver’s statement, the players stopped wearing the shirts but have continued discussions with the league on engaging in a public dialogue on the issues.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma, whose U.S. Olympic team will begin practicing Saturday in Los Angeles, said he is proud of Charles.
WNBA Player of the Month Tina Charles shared a very direct and articulate message via her Instagram page.
Auriemma wasn’t sure what the players could do at the Olympics to continue the discussion. “We’re for that, right”, Wright said.
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After seeing the African American male shot three times after helping an autistic person out this morning in Florida, I knew I couldnt be silent, Charles said after Liberty lost to the Fever. She mentioned the blackout was a group decision. “Knowing my status and knowing the player I am representing this organization, if anyone was going to wear it, I know it had to be me. I’d never do anything to harm the league, franchises or players”, Borders said. “We appreciate like insane the support we’ve gotten, particularly from the league”.
