Williams underscored that WNBA athletes deliberately embrace their visibility to advocate for social change, pointing to a legacy that spans racial justice and political elections. The past season featured intense debates surrounding race, sexuality, and the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports. Despite facing hateful messages and death threats for her outspoken stances, the 30-year-old forward credited the supportive atmosphere at the Chase Center for sustaining her throughout the year.
Key points
Players view their presence in professional basketball as an inherently politicized platf…: Players view their presence in professional basketball as an inherently politicized platform that demands active community leadership.
The league continues to build on its established history of engaging in high-profile poli…: The league continues to build on its established history of engaging in high-profile political and cultural movements.
A supportive home arena environment at the Chase Center provided Williams the necessary f…: A supportive home arena environment at the Chase Center provided Williams the necessary freedom to thrive despite severe outside harassment.
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Golden State Valkyries star Gabby Williams doesn't expect the political and cultural issues swirling around the WNBA to go away anytime soon.
Fresh off the Valkyries' first championship and winning the Finals MVP award, Williams spoke with CNBC's Alex Sherman about the league's place in those conversations. The WNBA has been at the forefront of several political and cultural issues this season, ranging from race to sexuality.
"I think as a female athlete, just our existence is political," Williams said. "Being a female athlete just automatically becomes politicized because we're in a space where maybe we weren't welcome before."
Williams said that she and many of her fellow athletes understand the fact that that playing professional basketball has brought them a larger platform.
"I think it's something that we embrace as athletes," Williams said, pointing to players' past involvement in political and social causes, including the 2020 Georgia Senate runoff and the Black Lives Matter movement. "I think that'll continue," she said.
The 30-year-old basketball player, born in Nevada to an American father and a French mother, said she grew…
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