WNBA prez withdraws fines regarding anti-violence shirts

[Eugene]

Source: ESPN

WNBA prez withdraws fines regarding anti-violence shirts

By ESPN.COM NEWS SERVICES via ESPN - Jul 24, 2016, 3:00 PM ET

NEW YORK -- The WNBA has withdrawn its fines for teams and players who showed support of citizens and police involved in recent shootings by wearing black warm-up shirts before games.

WNBA president Lisa Borders said in a statement Saturday that 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, Louisiana.

"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 August 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."

Borders also tweeted her support for the players.

Each organization had been fined $5,000 and players were each given a $500 penalty because WNBA rules state that uniforms may not be altered in any way. The normal fine for uniform violations is $200.

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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wnba-prez-withdraws-fines-anti-violence-shirts/story?id=40837555

[The Polack MSgt]

1. Never should have fined them to begin with

Knee jerk appeasement to the police unions does no one any favors.