Golden State Valkyries star Gabby Williams does not anticipate the cultural and political issues surrounding the WNBA to fade away in the near future. Following the Valkyries’ inaugural championship victory and her own WNBA Finals MVP win, Williams discussed the league’s intersection with these topics during an interview with CNBC’s Alex Sherman.
The Political Nature of Women’s Athletics
The WNBA has consistently found itself at the center of various cultural and political discussions throughout the season, encompassing matters of sexuality and race. Williams stated to US Top News and Analysis (cnbc.com) that simply being a female athlete carries political weight. She explained that female athletes automatically become politicized because they operate in environments where women may not have been welcomed previously.
Williams noted that she and many of her peers recognize that their status as professional basketball players provides them with an expanded platform. She explained that athletes embrace this responsibility, mentioning past player participation in social and political movements such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the 2020 Georgia Senate runoff, while affirming her belief that this activism will persist.
Community Leadership and the Next Steps
Reflecting on her time as a student-athlete at the University of Connecticut, the 30-year-old athlete, who was born in Nevada to a French mother and an American father, recalled observing the Black Lives Matter movement unfold. She expressed that she was eager to engage with that aspect of the league upon realizing that WNBA players function as community leaders rather than just athletes.
Williams continues her professional basketball career following her historic championship win with the Golden State Valkyries.
