A Legacy of Resistance: Black Athletes and the Backlash to Protest

Black athletes have historically placed their voices, bodies, and livelihoods at risk in the fight for justice. Whether it’s advocating for racial justice, ending poverty, or human rights in the sports industry, Black athletes are often at the forefront of movements advocating for change. Minnesota Lynx Napheesa Collier is the most recent example of this.

In a chilling exit interview, Collier called out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and leadership for their troubling remarks about WNBA players. Collier described disturbing comments Englebert made when addressing concerns about pay equity, officiating calls, and the lack of accountability amongst WNBA leadership.

“We have the best players in the world, we have the best fans in the world, but right now we have the worst leadership in the world,” Collier said in her exit interview. “The real threat to our league isn’t money, it isn’t ratings or even missed calls or even physical play. It’s the lack of accountability from the league office.”

When asked if she was concerned about potential fines for her exit interview remarks, Collier said, “It seems like anything with free speech is fined now.”

Angel Reese voiced her frustrations with herself and the Chicago Sky franchise after a losing season in early September. The Chicago Sky franchise benched Reese for the first half of the game against the Las Vegas Aces on Sept. 7.

“Because of statements detrimental to the team made by Angel Reese during league-mandated media, she will not play in the first half of the game on Sept. 7 against the Las Vegas Aces,” said the Chicago Sky franchise in a statement released to the public.

Reese’s comments were deemed controversial as some people felt Reese was allowed to voice her frustrations. Others felt Reese should have voiced her frustrations differently and be grateful for the opportunity to play in the WNBA. 

In July, WNBA stars united to advocate for increased pay when they wore black t-shirts that stated ‘Pay Us What You Owe Us.’ Black WNBA stars, such as Angel Reese and A’ja Wilson, advocated for WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to grant better contracts to players. Currently, the average WNBA player salary is $102,249, according to Spotrac data. The average NBA player salary is $14.1 million, according to Basketball Reference.

Across the board, black WNBA stars are using their voice to protest the current leadership, pay, officiating, and playing conditions of the WNBA. They want better for the WNBA and themselves. Why are their protests often met with negative backlash? 

In 2016, former San Francisco 49ers players Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid knelt during the national anthem to protest police brutality and systemic racism Black people face in America. During a post- game interview, Kaepernick stated, “insert quote”

Kaepernick and Reid were met with controversy as some felt they should “respect” the American flag and focus on their careers instead of advocacy. Others were supportive of Kaepernick and Reid’s efforts to highlight systemic racism and disparities Black people in the US face. 

Kaepernick and Reid were both eventually released from their NFL teams despite being starters. Reid signed a three-year contract with the North Carolina Panthers in 2019, however, he was released from the team in early 2020. Despite multiple attempts to rejoin the NFL, Kaepernick was never signed again. Reid and Kaepernick were at the heights of their NFL careers and top contributors for the 49ers. Many cite Reid and Kaepernick’s protests as the reason their football careers abruptly ended.

Together, Reid and Kaepernick represent another case of Black voices being attacked in moments of protest.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos were no exception this either. At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, both men won gold and bronze in the 200-meter race. While on the podium, they raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice and discrimination against Black communities. 

Their protest was met with immediate backlash as they were expelled from the Olympic Village,  suspended by the U.S. Olympic Team, and sent home. They were condemned by the International Olympic Committee and banned from competing in national and international competitions. Decades later, Smith and Carlos received the ESPY Arthur Ashe Award for Courage and the US Olympic Committee inducted them into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2019. 

Through history, we see a pattern of how Black athletes are treated for protesting. Angel Reese was suspended and there are rumors of her trade. Kaepernick and Reid were cut. Smith and Carlos were expelled. The commonality amongst them all is that they were silenced for protesting for racial injustice, pay equity, and human rights. 

So far, Collier has received overwhelming praise and support for her protest against WNBA leadership and commissioner Cathy Engelbert. WNBA players and sports commentators such as A’ja Wilson, Caitlyn Clark, and Stephen A. Smith have made public statements in support of Collier. 

With the love and support Collier has received, could this be a turning point for Black athletes receiving support during protest?