WNBA President urges social issues dialogue with players, communities

The New York Times reported, while in Rio President Lisa Borders of the WNBA, addressed she is encouraging players of the league to speak with communities about the social issues going on in the country.

Prior to the Olympic break, three WNBA teams were fined for warmup shirts they wore in the wake of the shootings which occurred in Minnesota, Louisiana and Texas at the time. Before the Olympics were underway — a few days after the fines were handed out — Borders dropped the fines given to the players and teams.

Since then, Borders is focused on getting the WNBA’s players involved within their respective communities, and she has a plan, even though there is no time frame on that plan.

"We've created a guide book which will enable each of our teams to take that same concept and bring it to life in their market. Our players are ready to start that phase and lead it with their colleagues from the NBA and if there are folks from other sports franchises that want to participate we'll welcome that as well."

As reported by the New York Times, Borders wants players to strike a conversation in communities much like Carmelo Anthony has done, as well as the Olympic teams did in Los Angeles before they headed to Rio.

Borders is not the only one happy to see improvements coming with the support of the players in the league; Tina Charles shares the same emotions.

"I think it would be great. Anything would be great. It's embarrassing that it got to the point that it got to. The fact that president Lisa Borders is willing to take the next step forward, it's not about keeping the players happy. It's because you need to show your support in what your players need. We're happy and thrilled that something will get done."

One of the most outspoken individuals who has wanted support from the league for the players in the WNBA has been Charles. In fact, even after she was fined with the remainder of her team, she wore her warmup shirt inside out to still show her support. She was not fined for that incident, as she still had on the team-issued warm-up shirt.

Charles had been one of the most outspoken WNBA players in support of the movement. She wore her warmup shirt inside-out in the Liberty's last game before the Olympic break even after the teams had been fined.