Tag: WNBA basketball

LeBron James tweets about forming Atlanta Dream ownership group after Georgia senate runoff

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was talking about buying the Atlanta Dream from sitting U.S. senator Kelly Loeffler of Georgia.

LeBron James, like many around the country and the world on Tuesday, had their eyes on Georgia and the two senate runoff elections that would determine the majority in the United States senate. And one of the races has NBA ties, with Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler being the owner of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, in a runoff against Raphael Warnock.

As of this publishing, Warnock has declared victory with still some votes to be counted and him in the lead of Loeffler. With the election looking like it will go against Loeffler, who has questioned why WNBA players should say “Black Lives Matter,” LeBron James took the occasion as an opportunity to call his shot with trying to get Loeffler out of professional basketball by announcing he wants to organize an ownership group for the Atlanta Dream.

The Dream, because of being owned by Loeffler, were the loudest advocates for Warnock in the lead up to the 2020 election by wearing “Vote Warnock” shirts during their games in the WNBA Bubble in Bradenton, Florida.

Shortly after James tweeted, Renee Montgomery, who plays for the Dream, showed her support.

LeBron’s ‘More Than A Vote’ nonprofit partnered with Lyft during the early voting period for the runoff Georgia to help give voters free rides to the polls.

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WNBA announces return in Florida with ‘commitment to social justice’

While everyone is waiting on the NBA to finalize a plan to return the WNBA announced their plan to play in Florida on Monday.

While the NBA and the NBPA continue to finalize details about their own return to play later this summer, their WNBA counterparts announced on Monday a commitment to a return to play with a focus on ‘social justice,’ including full salaries paid to every player in the shortened season, which will be played on the IMG Academy campus in Bradenton, Florida, which is near Tampa.

“In our discussions with the league, we emphasized and they agreed that a strong commitment to a 2020 season will give the WNBA the chance to show the world that it’s taking the steps needed to secure our livelihood and well-being, while also providing the opportunity to amplify our collective voice,” said WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike in a press release from the WNBA.  “We have always been at the forefront of initiatives with strong support of #BlackLivesMatter, #SayHerName, the LGBTQ+ community, gun control, voting rights, #MeToo, mental health and the list goes on.  This is not only necessary from a humanitarian perspective, but it may be one of the biggest opportunities that this league has and will ever have.”

There were reports that some WNBA players were part of Kyrie Irving’s phone call on Friday questioning the merits of a restart, it appears that the union has agreed with the league to move forward with the 2020 season. Just like with the WNBA, a season doesn’t mean that every player will play and we’ve already seen Minnesota Lynx star Maya Moore forego multiple seasons in committing her life to focus on freeing Jonathan Irons, a man she believes was wrongfully convicted, prior to the current political climate.

Per the WNBA’s release, the 12 WNBA teams will report to Bradenton for training camp in early July.

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LeBron James happy for WNBA, wishes ‘continued success’ after new CBA

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was thrilled by the advancements gained by the WNBA in their new collective bargaining agreement.

LeBron James, like many in the sports world, took notice of the landmark day that came earlier this week with the news of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement for the WNBA and its players.

Among the changes to the league was an increase in player salaries, as well as stipends and special considerations for players who are pregnant or have children. Players also earned improved travel provisions, such as individual hotel rooms and comfort-plus guarantees on flights.

On Wednesday, James spoke about how happy he was to see the growth of the WNBA, according to USA TODAY’s Mark Medina.

“I’m happy for all the women that’s in that league, both on the court and off. I I just wish them continued success.”

The WNBA not only made significant changes in the world of women’s sports, the gains they made in terms of paid maternity leave and stipends is also being seen as a pioneering moment in corporate America as well.

LeBron has become a more vocal supporter of the WNBA over the last few years, especially players such as A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, who wears his signature shoes.

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