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WNBA Defying Their Owner Kelly Loeffler

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

senate runoff" (2020), Buckner (n.d.) reveals that political influence does not only exist in

political spaces but also in sports culture. The author shows how the construct of sports remains

a phenomenon that actively involves the public critique's participation and engagement during

elections. One of the resounding themes in the article is the act of sportsmanship, in this paper

we will seek to draw conclusions on how the article connects with its central theme and

expounds on the issues of racism, women empowerment, intersectionality, and economic

determination

Racism

According to Bucker (n.d.), the WNBA has been proactive in being politically

progressive, as evident in their support to the "Black Lives Matters Movement" amid the brutal

police killings that resulted in the death of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. However, the

author alleges that Kelly Leoffler who co-owned the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National

Basketball Association (WNBA) wrote a letter to the league stating that it should distance itself

from the movement. In my perspective Loffler is further supporting Donald Trump and the

Republican party, who strongly endorse racism (n.p). According to the author of the article, she

is alleged to have forgotten that all people are equal regardless of race in this age, bearing in

mind that each citizen is a taxpayer and an eligible voter, whether black or white.
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Intersectionality

The author further points out that given the history of the league within the context of the

senate race, Loffler's move to stop the league from participating in the wake of the anti-racism

movement remained a politically motivating factor. In other words, the protagonist used politics

to oppress the league of their choice in supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. She also

used her political figure to co-sponsor legislation that would have seen transgender girls

banished from engaging in sporting activities (Buckner n.p). This is discriminating against

transgender girls from being in sports and is a significant disadvantage to them and the sports

community. In the current world, three genders are recognized, that includes female, male, and

transgender. In light of these claims, I believe that transgender girls equally need to be accorded

the privilege of engaging in sporting activities.

Women Empowerment

In the article, the author further quotes Audrey Haynes's views—a renowned political

scientist in 'Sports by stating that "WNBA's trademark as part of Loffler's brand, and suddenly it

is not." This factor raised a controversy as to why Loeffler would turn against her team. Buckner

(n.d.) states that the context of her senate race and her choice to follow in Trump's political

journey significantly caused uneasiness among the team members. Loeffler goes further to co-

sponsor legislation intended at baring transgender girls from engaging in any women sporting

activities (n.p). In my view, the element of women's empowerment remains a phenomenon that is

affected as the author shows how a Loefller has turned against transgender women, denying

them a chance to exercise their sports talent just because they were not born women. Such laws

should never be applied anywhere because the world is past this kind of discrimination against
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transgender women. Moreover, political alignments should never degrade women's

empowerment; instead, they should empower women in all aspects.

Economic Determination

Furthermore, the author points out that Kelly Loeffler had a history of being a potential

investor hence accumulating enough assets to purchase forty-nine percent of the WNBA's

Atlanta Dream. As established in the economic determination theory, economic forces

determine, shape, and define all political, social, cultural, intellectual aspects of civilization.

Loeffler, having the upper hand, economically owns the league and tries to influence the league's

perception of issues affecting the world, such as racism and gender inequality (Buckner n.d.). 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 important to note that sports can significantly influence one's public critique during

an election, as stated by the author. For Loeffler, her battle with the WNBA cost her in the

runoffs as the league ignored her. This is an excellent lesson to Loeffler 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.

Economic determination should not influence the state of affairs in today's world as this may

lead to important rights being deprived of well-deserving citizens.

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References

Buckner, Candace. "How Politics Transformed Kelly Loeffler from Hoops Junkie to WNBA

Villain." Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/08/29/kelly-loeffler-

wnba-black-lives-matter/.