All three teams were fined $5,000 and each player was fined $500. The normal fine for uniform violations is $200.
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The WNBA players received support for their efforts from New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. He called the penalty “unacceptable”. “They just wore black shirts and for that they were each fined”. IN and Phoenix donned the shirts on Tuesday night before their nationally televised game.
Players from the Liberty and Fever boycotted their obligatory post-game news conference Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City and recorded their own. Tina Charles did wear her warmup shirt inside-out in honor of a shooting in Florida that morning.
WNBA President Lisa Borders released the statement on Saturday saying that the league would be willing to work with both the players and the teams in order to reach a resolve. They’re truly incredible, thoughtful and talented individuals.
As President Borders points out at the conclusion of her statement, those fines which were enacted, have now been rescinded.
Sharpton added that NAN will pay or reimburse each player for their fine – that he says was undeservedly handed out to the women.
“The only good thing that came out of it is that the 70 percent of the WNBA that are African-Americans are protected when the jerseys are on”.
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“These young ladies took it upon themselves to send a very simple message standing up against police brutality and racial bias”, he said. Nothing concrete was decided. The players have an open invitation with the league. They were fighting for what they believe to be right, and their league is now finding a way to support them. “We want to make sure they play well on the court and they are happy off the court”. WNBA President Borders applauds the league’s players for taking a stance on social issues. This decision made by the league shows that the players don’t care about money and want to see change happen.
