Atlanta Dream co-owner and U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler is speaking out against the WNBA’s plan to acknowledge the Black Lives Matter movement.
And the WNBA’s players are fed up with her.
The league put together a plan to honor the victims of police violence that included allowing players to wear warm ups that read “Black Lives Matter” on the front and “Say Her Name” on the back — a reference to Breonna Taylor, who was killed by Louisville police.
Loeffler wants the league to scrap that plan. In a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Loeffler asked that the league put an American flag on warm-ups instead of Black Lives Matter.
Players are, once again, asking for the league to take action against the senator. Layshia Clarendon said it was “hurtful to see her true colors.”
I can’t believe I ever stepped foot in Kelly’s house and shared a meal with her. It’s actually really hurtful to see her true colors. I had no idea while I played for ATL she felt this way. Happy to own us as long as we stay quiet and perform 🤬👀 https://t.co/97jTbmuHda
— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) July 7, 2020
Mystics guard Natasha Cloud said the league doesn’t want her.
We don’t want her.
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) July 7, 2020
Chicago Sky Guard Sydney Colson shared those feelings.
Let me be clear: we don’t give a damn what you think @KLoeffler. Cut all ties with the league, stop giving your bigoted opinions about black affairs, & tend to ur insider trading sweetheart 💅🏾 https://t.co/KYZHUlrvXU
— Sydney Colson (@SydJColson) July 7, 2020
Even the player’s association jumped in.
E-N-O-U-G-H!
O-U-T!https://t.co/XgIS2vRb2X
— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) July 7, 2020
This is nothing new for Loeffler. After Rayshard Brooks was killed by police officers at a Wendy’s last month, she referred to protestors as “mob rule” in a tweet.
Former NBA star Alex English even compared Loeffler to Donald Sterling.
This is a bad look for the @AtlantaDream and the @WNBA … Donald Sterling vibes. #blacklivesmatter https://t.co/P6sEAkrhor
— Alex English (@AlexEnglish_2) June 26, 2020
There’s clearly a ton of people both in and out of the league who want Loeffler out of the league at this point. Yet, so far, there doesn’t seem to be any indication it’ll happen.
The WNBA’s statement released on Loeffler was quiet. It amounted to the league saying she doesn’t make decisions, which doesn’t seem totally relevant right now.
Here’s the W’s statement on Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler pic.twitter.com/Eo7Xb0Ivmu
— Ava Wallace (@avarwallace) July 7, 2020
The WNBA is missing the point their players are making. No, Loeffler might not make decisions for the Atlanta Dream. But the league still takes her money. She is still the team’s co-owner and, therefore, a team representative.
So, sure, she’s not a decision maker. But she’s part of that organization. And, clearly, the league’s players believe she’s doing more harm than good for the WNBA’s image.
Their current stance isn’t enough. The players are demanding more. And, because of that, the WNBA now has a decision to make.