WNBA’s Growth and Player Advocacy

The WNBA has experienced remarkable growth and increased visibility in recent seasons. Natasha Cloud, a guard for the New York Liberty, shared her insights on how players have harnessed the league’s expanding influence, particularly during the tumultuous 2020 season.

This was when the COVID-19 pandemic began, coinciding with widespread protests against police brutality and a push for social justice. The Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum during this period.

In the summer of 2020, as players gathered in a bio-secure bubble in Florida, many took the opportunity to speak out on social issues. Cloud was among those who utilized their platform for advocacy.

She acknowledged the pivotal role WNBA players played in protecting democratic values at a critical juncture. “I wish we had a little more voice from the league during this time,” Cloud remarked. “There was a moment in 2020 that truly saved our democracy, yet it seems not everyone wants to acknowledge that. You were one of the leaders in that movement, influencing change in a bold yet graceful manner,” she noted during a recent episode of “A Touch More” with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe.

Cloud emphasized that the players’ activism had a profound effect on the sports world, encouraging others to follow suit.

Yet, while Cloud sees 2020 as significant, she also expressed her concerns about the current level of advocacy within the WNBA. “Every part of the activity is important,” she stated. “I don’t want to lose my role as a W because we’ve been on the front lines for so long. It feels like, over the last couple of years, we’ve taken a step back to focus on family obligations and support,” she reflected.

In her first season with the Liberty, Cloud averaged 10.1 points and 5.1 assists per game. She previously spent eight seasons with the Washington Mystics before joining the Phoenix Mercury in 2024.