The WNBA has withdrawn its fines for multiple teams and players that protested recent gun violence by wearing black warmup shirts before their games.

The Indiana Fever, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury were each fined $5,000, and players on those teams were fined $500 a piece for wearing black T-shirts calling attention to shootings by and against police officers in place of their normal warmups.

The news of these fines caused a stir nationwide, and many other WNBA teams participated in similar protests as a show of solidarity. If anything, the league’s decision to fine those teams and players only encouraged other teams to participate in similar protests.

In a statement made by WNBA President Lisa Border, the league said it was fining the players based on uniform rules — not for the content of the intended message.

“We are proud of WNBA players’ engagement and passionate advocacy for non-violent solutions to difficult social issues but expect them to comply with the league’s uniform guidelines,” Borders told the AP on Wednesday night.

However, many felt this stance was hypocritical, citing the league’s quickness to provide teams with shirts expressing support of the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting in June. Fever star Tamika Catchings, who doubles as president of the WNBA players’ union, said she was disappointed with the WNBA’s ruling.

“Instead of the league taking a stance with us, where they tell us they appreciate our expressing our concerns like they did for Orlando, we’re fighting against each other,” she said, referencing the Orlando nightclub shooting that resulted in 49 deaths.

The Fever and Liberty also conducted additional protests by holding “media blackouts” following their games. Players politely refused to answer any questions about the contests themselves, and would only speak to reporters about topics relating to social issues.

Charles, who has emerged as a leading voice in this protest, also said she is hoping the Olympics will provide an opportunity to meet collectively about further protests with her fellow WNBA stars on the U.S. team and with their NBA counterparts on the men’s squad.

“Being able to see how they feel and what they want to do, coming collectively together,” Charles said. “Seeing the other 11 WNBA teams, how we basically just did a media blackout, if they are up for doing the same thing.”

[AP]

About Ben Sieck

Ben is a recent graduate of Butler University where he served as Managing Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Butler Collegian. He currently resides in Indianapolis.