THE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

DEFYING THEIR OWNER KELLY LOFFLER 1

THE WOMEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

DEFYING THEIR OWNER KELLY LOFFLER.

NAME

INSTITUTION AFFILIATED

DATE
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DEFYING THEIR OWNER KELLY LOFFLER 2

WOMEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

DEFYING THEIR OWNER KELLY LOEFFLER

In his article "Kelly Loeffler uses the battle with WNBA as a springboard into Georgia's

senate runoff", (2020), Dr. Guy Harrison brings out the fact that political communication does

not only exist in political spaces but also popular culture. He shows how sports are actively

involved in public critique during elections. I agree with the author’s sentiments such as racism,

intersectionality, and women's empowerment, and economic determination.

RACISM

According to Dr. Harrison, (para,2) the WNBA has been proactive in its political

progressivism and was in support of the BLACK LIVES MATTERS MOVEMENT amid the

police racist killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. However, the author says (para 1)

Loeffler wrote a letter to the league stating that it should distance itself from the movement. In

my point of view in support of the author, Loffler takes this action to support Donald Trump of

the Republican party who strongly supports racism. She forgets that in this century all are equal

regardless of race, bearing in mind that each citizen is a taxpayer and an eligible voter whether

black or white.

INTERSECTIONALITY

Also, the author points out that with the WNBA’s history and the context of the senate

race Loeffler's move to stop the league from its participation in the anti-racism movement was

politically motivated (para 1). She uses politics to oppress the league of their freedom. She also

uses her political figure to co-sponsor legislation that would have seen transgender girls not

playing girls' sports(para 5). This, to me, discriminated against most girls from being in sports

and is a great disadvantage to them and the sports community. In the current world, three genders
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DEFYING THEIR OWNER KELLY LOFFLER 3

are recognized, that includes female, male, and transgender. Therefore, even transgender girls are

to be allowed in any activity. It is time the world including Loeffer strive for inclusivity for all

women regardless of the diversities

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Besides, the author(para 3) quotes political scientist Audrey Haynes in ‘Sports illustrated’

who states "WNBA's brand was part of Loeffler’s brand and suddenly it is not". A question as to

why Loeffler would turn against her team arises. According to Dr. Harrison, the context of her

senate race and her being Trump's followers are a major contribution.Loeffer goes further to co-

sponsor legislation to bar transgender girls from playing any girls' sports. To me, women's

empowerment has been greatly affected to a point of a woman turning against her fellow women,

declining them a chance to exercise their sports talent just because they were born different. Such

laws should never be applied anywhere because the world is past this kind of discrimination

against women. Also, political alignments should never be used to degrade women's

empowerment, instead, they should be used to empower women in all aspects.

ECONOMIC DETERMINATION

Furthermore, the author points(para 3) out that Kelly Loeffer had a history as an investor

hence accumulating enough assets to purchase forty-nine percent of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream.

Mark Bowles (Economic Determinism and Karl Marx: Definition & History, 2015) says

economic determination theory suggests that economic forces determine, shape, and define all

political, social, cultural, intellectual aspects of civilization. Loeffer having an upper hand

economically owns the league and tries to influence the league’s perception of issues affecting
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DEFYING THEIR OWNER KELLY LOFFLER 4

the world such as racism and gender inequality. In my opinion, the WNBA was exemplary to

many for standing firm not to let the theory of economic determination influence the state of

Georgia’s affairs. This in many places especially third world countries would not have been a

possibility since economic determination still has more influence on the state of affairs.

CONCLUSION

It is of great importance to note that sports can have a greater influence on one’s public

critique during an election as stated by the author, (para 1). This is because, for Loeffler, her

battle with the WNBA costed her in the runoffs as she was defied by the league. This is a great

lesson to Loffer and the world that we are all equal regardless of our race and gender. Political

affiliations should never be used to oppress women's empowerment. We all should be given

equal grounds to do what we do best, and economic determination should not be used to

influence the state of affairs in today’s world as this may lead to important rights being deprived

to well-deserving citizens.
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DEFYING THEIR OWNER KELLY LOFFLER 5
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DEFYING THEIR OWNER KELLY LOFFLER 6

REFERENCES

Jackson, D., Coombs, D. S., Trevisan, F., Lilleker, D., & Thorsen, E. (2020).

US Election Analysis 2020: Media, Voters and the Campaign.

Economic Determinism and Karl Marx: Definition & History. (2015, November 5). Retrieved

from https://study.com/academy/lesson/economic-determinism-and-karl-marx-definition-

history.html.