NEW YORK -- The WNBA is withdrawing its fines for teams and players that showed support of citizens and police involved in recent shootings by wearing black warmup shirts before games.
WNBA President Lisa Borders said in a statement Saturday the league was rescinding penalties given to the Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and their players for wearing the shirts during pregame protests, which began after shootings in Minnesota and Baton Rouge, La.
Each team was fined $5,000 and players were each given a $500 penalty because WNBA rules stated that uniforms may not be altered in any way. The normal fine for uniform violations is $200.
"While we expect players to comply with league rules and uniform guidelines, we also understand their desire to use their platform to address important societal issues," Borders said. "Given that the league will now be suspending play until Aug. 26 for the Olympics, we plan to use this time to work with our players and their union on ways for the players to make their views known to their fans and the public."
The fines seemed to galvanize the players, who have used postgame interview sessions and social media to voice their displeasure. There has also been public criticism of the fines, including from NBA star Carmelo Anthony.
The Rev. Al Sharpton said early Saturday his organization, the National Action Network, would pay the $500 fines. He called the penalty "unacceptable."
The Liberty wore the plain black shirts four times, including Wednesday against Washington. Indiana and Phoenix donned the shirts on Tuesday night before their nationally televised game. The fines were administered Wednesday and neither the Fever nor Liberty wore the shirts at their matinee game on Thursday. Tina Charles did wear her warmup shirt inside-out in honor of a shooting in Florida that morning.
"We commend Lisa Borders for recognizing how the players of the WNBA felt and the sensitive time that we're living in and being willing to re-evaluate their decision," New York Liberty President Isiah Thomas said. "We are also very proud of our players the world is seeing what we already knew. They're truly incredible, thoughtful and talented individuals. Our league, our partners and our society are better because of our players' willingness to enter the political and social activism arena."
WNBA teams abided by the uniform rule on Friday -- the last day of games before the monthlong Olympic break.
Washington Mystics players had shirts saying "Black Lives Matters" in the locker room after their game Friday night. Seattle Storm and Minnesota Lynx players tweeted out pictures of their teams wearing black shirts featuring a Martin Luther King Jr. quote before their game. They didn't wear those shirts on the court to avoid getting fined.
In Friday's games:
Sparks 95, Mystics 75
WASHINGTON -- Nneka Ogwumike had 24 points and 14 rebounds, Candace Parker added 18 points and six assists and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Washington Mystics to end a two-game skid.
Ogwumike was 6 of 7 from the field and 11 of 12 from the free-throw line. Rookie Evgeniia Belyakova added a career-high 12 points, and Jantel Lavender added 11 for the Sparks (21-3).
Emma Meesseman scored 16 points for the Mystics (9-15). They have lost seven in a row.
Lynx 79, Storm 72
MINNEAPOLIS -- Maya Moore scored 21 points, Sylvia Fowles had 20 points and 12 rebounds and Minnesota beat Seattle for its sixth-straight victory.
Fowles was 8 of 10 from the field and had three steals and two blocked shots. Natasha Howard scored 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting for the Lynx (21-4).
Breanna Stewart had 18 points and eight rebounds for the Storm (9-15).
Dream 93, Wings 88
ATLANTA -- Reshanda Gray had 22 points and 10 rebounds -- both career highs -- and Angel McCoughtry scored five points during a decisive late run to help Atlanta beat Dallas.
Layshia Clarendon had 17 points, including five free throws in the final 23 seconds, for the Dream (13-12). McCoughtry finished with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.
Skylar Diggins led Dallas (9-16) with 29 points. The Wings have lost six straight.
Sun 94, Sky 89
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Jonquel Jones had her first-career double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds -- both career highs -- and Alex Bentley scored 21 points to help Connecticut beat Chicago.
Alyssa Thomas and Jasmine Thomas added 16 points apiece and Chiney Ogwumike had 10 for the Sun (8-16).
Elena Delle Donne led Chicago (11-13) with 20 points.
Sports on 07/24/2016