The 2019 WNBA champion has opted to sit out the 2020 season to help focus and fight against social justice issues that plague America. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to people if they’re familiar with Cloud because she had written a powerful and moving piece for The Player’s Tribune, “Your Silence Is A Knee On My Neck”. That piece hones in on her opinions and experiences in regard to white supremacy, Natasha also took to the streets of Philadelphia and protested against black injustices in America.
Therefore, it is evident that her sitting out should not be a surprise, what comes to a surprise to many is that Converse have decided to fund Cloud, choosing covering her salary that she will miss out on due to her sitting out the 2020 season. It is reported that she was in line to earn salary of $117,000 for the 2020 season, according to Spotrac. Natasha Cloud became the first WNBA player to join Converse Hoops roster, Converse made it clear that Natasha’s basketball abilities wasn’t the only reason that they decided to sign her to the brand as they mentioned on their instagram. Cloud delayed the announcement because of the unfortunate killing of George Floyd.
Converse has been supportive of Cloud since she joined their roster donating $25,000 to an unnamed racial justice organisation and are aiming to release a film that will feature Cloud’s hopes and demands for change. Converse are also aiding Cloud financially beyond her contract giving her all kinds of support needed whilst she embarks on this battle against the racial injustices in America “They are. On top of paying my contract salary. They’re doing everything they can to support me”. This isn’t Cloud’s first rodeo as she has been used her platform to speak against other issues in the country, one being gun violence in 2019.
“Your Silence Is A Knee On My Neck”
Hopefully other brands will see this example set by Converse and also back their athletes as a number of other WNBA players have decided to opt out of the coming season including Atlanta Dream star Renee Montgomery. The WNBA will see out a shortened 2020 season, despite a number of players being out due to social justices and COVID. Players began being paid on June 1st.