How the WNBA drove Loeffler into overtime

Atlanta Dream center Elizabeth Williams. Courtesy: Elizabeth Williams

Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler is headed for a runoff that could determine control of the U.S. Senate — and the WNBA team she co-owns is supporting her opponent.

Months before Election Day, Kelly Loeffler had already lost her WNBA team.

Loeffler, the Republican junior U.S. senator from Georgia, has been a co-owner of the Atlanta Dream for years. When the players dedicated its season to the Say Her Name campaign and Breonna Taylor in particular, Loeffler spoke out against the plans in a letter, calling for “less — not more politics in sports.”

“I think initially everyone was, it was a combination of being disappointed, frustrated, a little bit confused,” said Dream center Elizabeth Williams. “You’re the owner of a team in a league that’s predominantly black.”

The thing is, the WNBA is a workplace, just on a national stage. This week, we’ll talk with players and experts about what happens when players go head to head with their team owner. Loeffler’s reelection effort will be decided in a January runoff that could tip control of the Senate, and WNBA players are publicly supporting her opponent, the Rev. Raphael Warnock.

“So eyes were on this, this special election, but not on the way they would have been without the WNBA’s influence,” said Amira Rose Davis, assistant professor of history and African American studies at Penn State.

Later in the show, we’ll talk with Davis about the WNBA players union’s fight for parity within their own league and sport. We’ll also be live on Marketplace’s Instagram Thursday afternoon with Davis to talk more about this episode, the runoff election and the WNBA’s new contract.

If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. For even more “This Is Uncomfortable,” don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter. This week, we have an update from Marilyn Hoffman, whose story we told a few weeks ago. Here’s the latest issue, in case you missed it.

Finally, if you want to tell us what you thought of this episode or anything else, drop us a line at 347-RING-TIU (347-746-4848) or fill out the form below.