NFL
By: Zachary Draves
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is without question one of the most progressive sports leagues in the world.
Gender equity, racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, etc. have defined the league’s purpose well beyond the pitch since its founding in 2012.
Now the NWSL is taking their work a step further and doing so at a moment when democracy is under assault.
Amidst the growing number of states introducing and in seventeen cases passing bills that widely suppress the vote, the NWSL is getting their ducks in a row and unleashing a widespread initiative aimed at combating this egregious assault on one of the most fundamental rights an American citizen possesses.
Back in May, they joined forces with other player association’s notably the MLSPA, NBPA, WNBPA, NFLPA, NWHLPA, and USWNTPA to release a joint statement that clearly signaled their principled opposition to these attacks on voting rights.
The statement read:
“We Stand for Democracy.
A Government of the people, by the people.
A beautifully American ideal, but a reality denied to many for much of this nation’s history.
As Americans, we know that in our democracy we should not expect to agree on everything.
However, regardless of our political affiliations, we believe the very foundation of our electoral process rests upon the ability of each of us to cast our ballots for the candidates of our choice.
For American democracy to work for any of us, we must ensure the right to vote for all of us.
We should all feel a responsibility to defend the right to vote and to oppose any discriminatory legislation or measures that restrict or prevent any eligible voter from having an equal and fair opportunity to cast a ballot.
Voting is the lifeblood of our democracy and we call upon all Americans to join us in taking a nonpartisan stand for this most basic and fundamental right of all Americans.”
I talked to Meghann Burke, Executive Director of the NWSL Player’s Association (NWSLPA) to explain more.
What made the NWSL(PA) join forces with other labor unions in the ongoing battle against voter suppression?
As professional athletes, we certainly have the privilege of a platform. As a Players Association, we represent all NWSL Players. That means that as women, as transgender and non-conforming people, as LGBTQIA people, as Black women, as AAPI people, as Indigenous people, we are also the targets of laws that seek to disenfranchise and discriminate against us.
Also, as a labor union, any threat to democracy is a threat to the very principles we stand on.
Can you describe the action steps that the NWSL is taking on this matter?
The Players Association has joined the Freedom to Vote campaign, a nonpartisan educational and advocacy effort that supports the passage of the For the People Act & the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
What role do you foresee the league taking in the upcoming 2022 elections?
As the Players Association, we will be actively engaged in get-out-the-vote efforts, in addition to our ongoing work with the Freedom to Vote campaign.
How can people support your efforts?
Go to Freedom to Vote’s website and follow their campaign. Be sure to call your legislators to support the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
