Written by: @kristenshylin_
According to USA Today, the WNBA Players’ Association has called for the removal of Kelly Loeffler from the Atlanta Dream following her recent controversial remarks.
On Tuesday, Loeffler, co-owner of the Dream, urged commissioner Cathy Engelbert to put an American flag on the league’s new jersey rather than the initially planned “Black Lives Matter” and “Say Her Name” messages.
In a letter to Engelbert, Loeffler insinuated that supporting the fight for racial equality is too political for sports.
“We need less—not more politics in sports,” said Loeffler.
She also said that anti-racism messages of the Black Lives Matter movement “sends a message of exclusion.” According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the co-owner said promoting the political agenda undermines the sport’s potential.
This is not the first time Loeffler has been under fire for making offensive comments. Despite the team owner’s public support of the Second Amendment, she recently appeared on FOX News referring to armed Black protestors in Atlanta as “mob rule.”
Loeffler also posted a statement on her Twitter account showing support of Family Project Alliance of Georgia, an anti-LGBT group.
In the post, she voiced her opinion about transgender athletes, saying that they should not participate in girls’ and women’s sports.
Many people, including athletes, have had enough of Loeffler’s offensive comments. After the news highlighted Loeffler’s recent remarks about the jerseys, the WNBPA tweeted, “E-N-O-U-G-H! O-U-T!”
As a result of the owner’s comments, the WNBA put out a statement saying that Loeffler is no longer involved in the organization’s day-to-day operations. However, Engelbert later added, according to USA TODAY, that Loeffler is still an owner of the team.
On Tuesday, Dream guard Renee Montgomery tweeted a message to Loeffler saying,” I’m pretty sad to see that my team ownership is not supportive of the movement and all that it stands for. I was already sitting out this season, and this an example of why. I would love to have a conversation with you about the matter if you’re down.”
Roughly three weeks ago, Renee Montgomery announced on Twitter that she is dropping out of this year’s season to fight for social justice.
“There’s work to be done off the court in so many areas in our community. Social justice reform isn’t going to happen overnight, but I do feel that now is the time and moments equal momentum.”
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