WNBA players refuse to play Wednesday in response to Jacob Blake shooting

Washington Mystics players linked arms and knelt in white T-shirts that spelled Jacob Blake’s name in black marker, one letter on each player’s chest. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who was involved in the discussion with players, said on ESPN2 that she “absolutely supports” the decision, although she hopes games can continue later. “When we started talking about the business side of things, it kind of changed our mind-sets,” Atkins said, “but when we get down to the human decency of life, you’re choosing a human or you’re choosing a game.” Sparks forward and WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike said on ESPN2 that the decision for female basketball players to sit out of games is “dire” compared to their male counterparts who make millions in salary and often have lucrative endorsement deals. “It speaks to the identity that we’ve always had as WNBA players, coming out, standing in unity and really amplifying our voices to foster change,” Ogwumike said, wearing a black T-shirt with “stop killing Black people” printed on the front.