Former WNBA player Sue Bird has recently stated that WNBA players in 2020 would have preferred to "shut up and dribble" rather than engage in political activism. However, Bird's own past statements and the WNBA's actions during the 2020 season appear to contradict this claim.
Bird, who was the vice president of the WNBPA in 2020, described the players' desire to focus on basketball on a recent podcast episode. She suggested that the "intersectionality of it all" compelled them to speak out on issues. This contrasts sharply with her own comments from October 2020, when she told NPR that social justice messages were "nonnegotiable" for the WNBA season and were to be at the "forefront." Bird also stated at the time that the league was on board "right from the jump."
In 2020, the WNBA integrated social justice messages into its season, featuring Black Lives Matter on courts and establishing a Social Justice Council. Players and the league actively spoke on topics such as voting rights, LGBTQ advocacy, and gun control. This engagement extended to supporting political candidates, notably Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock.
Bird was instrumental in a campaign where players wore "Vote Warnock" shirts prior to games. This action occurred during Warnock's Senate race against Kelly Loeffler, who was then a co-owner of the Atlanta Dream and had publicly criticized the WNBA's focus on Black Lives Matter. Axios reported that the idea to support Warnock publicly originated with Bird, who was quoted as saying, "What a great way for us to get the word out about this man, and hopefully put him in the Senate."
Bird's recent commentary suggests the WNBA has become a "lightning rod" for political controversies that the league office may struggle to resolve. She questioned how the league could navigate complex political dynamics, particularly in relation to figures like Donald Trump, when even seasoned politicians face difficulties. Bird indicated that the league office might be facing undue criticism for issues that are challenging even for those paid to address them.
ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne, a guest on Bird's podcast episode, offered a different perspective, noting that the WNBA has been a "willing participant" in political discourse. Shelburne stated that players, coaches, and the league itself have the choice to engage with pressing issues, and in recent times, that choice has leaned towards engagement.
This perspective aligns with Bird's own actions in 2020, when she advocated for social justice messaging and actively supported a political campaign. Her recent remarks suggesting a past desire to "shut up and dribble" stand in contrast to her documented involvement in political advocacy during that period.