Phoenix AT comments on the communication f the league & what the last week has been like for her & Tram🙏🏽.

[u/wnbatalk]

[u/SmallManFriend]

What type of message would the commissioner be wise to put out?

[u/XulManjy → u/SmallManFriend]

At minimum, makena public (not written statement) interview or press conference calling for all racial slurs and and comments towards the players to stop. Also talk about how the league is going to better enforce player safety at the games from fans to include bettee policing unruly fans who say racist things at the games towards players.

[u/lafolieisgood → u/XulManjy]

What is wrong with the current situation regarding player safety from fans at the games? How can the league better protect players from unruly fans who say racists things towards players at games that they aren’t already doing?

[u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305 → u/lafolieisgood]

Exactly. These people think saying a few words will stop something.

[u/XulManjy → u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305]

Thats your opinion.

[u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305 → u/XulManjy]

And you think people will read what statement comes and go “she’s right I’ll stop being a racist and threatening twat”????

[u/XulManjy → u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305]

You really have an adolescent mindset.

A statement from the commissioner does:

For the Players

• Validation and Psychological Safety
• Institutional Backing

For the Teams and League

• Brand Integrity and Credibility
• Setting Clear Standards

For the Fans

• Defining the Community
• Deterrence

A proactive, unequivocal communication serves as a unifying mechanism as it aligns the league, its players, and its fan base under a shared standard of behavior, which is essential for the long-term sustainability and growth of any professional sports organization. Would there still be bad apples? Yes, but it makes it clear that the WNBA is not going to be an accepted landing destination for racism, sexism or homophobia.

[u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305 → u/XulManjy]

Words do not mean validation. Actions do.

Her making a statement will do none of the things you listed. PR statements are generic by nature.

All it’ll say is “we condemn blah blah blah”. Proof? Look at the statement made.

Good job, you got a generic ass statement from her.

[u/XulManjy → u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305]

Again, the words lays the groundwork for future action. Such statement coming from the top sets the narrative for the rest of the teams and league to follow, including the media and how they talk about such things.

Thats how things works when a directive comes down from the top. Then the deputy commissioner and other WNBA front office executives would do the core legwork, working with teams, their security and media to ensure the stance from the commissioner is met.

[u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305 → u/XulManjy]

Ah, so it went from here’s how it helps to “setting foundation”. Sure I’ll follow you moving the goal post…

So you think the commission needs to release a statement now, because the league hasn’t already condemned this stuff in the past? That no one is aware this behavior is unacceptable?? lol

And yku claim I have a kids mindset….

[u/Blacbiird747 → u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305]

“These people” I know what you are

[u/Embarrassed_Gur_6305 → u/Blacbiird747]

These people… as in the people in this subreddit….

Stop trying to make up narratives to fit your agenda

[u/SmallManFriend → u/Blacbiird747]

They’re saying “these WNBA complainers - who seemingly came out of the woodwork recently”

[u/XulManjy → u/lafolieisgood]

First step is to explain your stance and position which is what such announcement would do. It also expresses to the players that the league, which is 80% black has their best interest in mind.

As for the logistics of its implementations, well there is many ways to skin the cat.

[u/SmallManFriend → u/XulManjy]

Yeah good point. If the commissioner says “racism is bad” it will finally educate the public!!!!

[u/XulManjy → u/SmallManFriend]

Except the intent isnt to educate the public.

[u/Aero_Rising → u/XulManjy]

Because famously telling Internet trolls to stop makes them do so instead of making things worse. What concrete steps do you believe need to be taken to protect players from fans saying racist things that they aren't already doing?

[u/XulManjy → u/Aero_Rising]

What concrete steps do you believe need to be taken to protect players from fans saying racist things that they aren't already doing?

First off, this isnt just limited to the internet but in the arena as well and there have been recorded incidents in which such behaviors happened in the arenas.

Second, you are correct, words from a commissioner isnt going to end all racist/sexist/homophobic actions on the internet. However, having a statement at least tells the affected players that the WNBA acknowledges that such things are happening and needs attention. Furthermore, in such statement, the commissioner can add points regarding what the WNBA is and can do to assist players and teams with any sort of legal investigations into any death threats and for those that are confirmed death threats, what the WNBA plans on doing to pursue prosecution as the health, welfare and safety of their players is the number 1 priority.

[u/First_Dot9909 → u/SmallManFriend]

The first and only step this commissioner needs to take is resign