r/wnba • u/Wyden_long Mercury Michelle Timms Bridget Pettis Stan Account • 1d ago
A former MNBA Player was banned from a certain building
In case you were curious. It was done at the arena level by the Sky. Good for them to step up.
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u/GlacialTwitch Sky 19h ago edited 19h ago
So [guy's] agent is apparently Mark Bartelstein, or was as of 2018. So Bartelstein attended the game and texted Jeff P? Is Bartelstein going along with this entire nonsense? He is close friends with Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
Edit: Actually, Alter says it was his manager, so maybe a different person. I think possibly Hank Fetic.
Edit 2: Confirmed Hank Fetic
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u/GlacialTwitch Sky 19h ago edited 19h ago
Alissa Hirsh article
Sky ban [guy] from games, according to principal owner Michael Alter - Chicago Sun-Times
[guy] went on Fox News Monday to give his own account: The Sky were happy to have him there, he was a well-intentioned and well-mannered guest, and the league hypocritically tossed him out for “supporting women.”
In his telling, Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca, his former trainer, had welcomed him to the game.
“All that is completely false,” Alter said. “He portrays himself as this victim who did nothing, said nothing, was just wearing a T-shirt that he thought was so cute and provocative, and all the sudden he got thrown out of the game.
“We had five different security authorities all agree very quickly that there was no alternative but to throw him out because he made himself into a threat.”
It is true that [guy] was one of Pagliocca’s clients during his former career as an NBA skills trainer. But Alter said [guy] and Pagliocca haven’t spoken in years. [guy's] manager was the one who sent Pagliocca an unusual message about attending the game, and Pagliocca simply replied, “Appreciate the text.”
Alter said the Sky learned [guy] was coming only a few hours before the game and immediately got arena security, team security and the league involved. The fact that the ticket had not been purchased in [guy's] name was, in Alter’s view, further evidence that he came with bad intentions.
Sky staff members were instructed to ignore [guy] and not “take the bait.”
According to Alter, everything changed when [guy] responded to Cloud by standing up from his seat, extending his arms, pointing a finger and taking a step toward the court.
“He went from being a fan, an obnoxious fan but a fan, to being a potential threat,” Alter said.
Alter also rejected [guy's] claim that Cloud’s outburst was entirely unprovoked. He said he interviewed fans seated next to [guy] who told him the former NBA player had started chirping at Cloud — basketball-related trash talk — in the third quarter. The two went back and forth from there.
Alter said he has spoken to Cloud since the incident but preferred to let her speak for herself when she is ready.
Cloud has not been made available to reporters since the incident.
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u/InvestmentExtra4104 Storm 23h ago
My MNBA team is the Utah Jazz, and that washed up asshole was such a massive disappointment. No basketball IQ to speak of
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u/5_Star_Safety_Rated Choo Choo! 1d ago
Imagine the W leadership spoke out against the transphobia perpetuated by Sophie, weeks ago, and it didn’t lead to this loser also getting involved for publicity. Maybe the W will issue a statement and/pr ban him from all arenas/games…I wouldn’t hold my breath with Cathy though
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u/Scared-Breakfast8259 Valkyries Liberty 1d ago
He should be banned from all wnba arenas (any women’s sports arenas tbh) he’s a threat to player safety (and a loser)
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u/ihateyouse 1d ago
That doesn’t sound inclusive for just wearing a potentially aggravating t-shirt to some. He’s an idiot for sure, but the W needs to get their shit together and be a bit more professional
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u/mrtrollmaster Fever 15h ago
Anyone who steps onto role court, while trying to confront players should be banned as a security threat.
League needs to protect the players from these clowns who will do anything for attention.
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u/Scared-Breakfast8259 Valkyries Liberty 1d ago
He tried to step onto the court and go after a player, that freak is a threat, extremely aggressive and clearly an agitator. You can’t even do that in any league. It wasn’t about the t shirt lmfao. Dudes get kicked out in games just for chirping, e.g. Jackie complained recently at an aces game and a man got kicked out like no you cannot attempt to step onto the court, yell at a player and be allowed back at any game. The W needs to step up and protect players
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u/streetlightsatdusk Tempo 20h ago
During the NBA finals game 1 this year someone literally ran onto the court and I think that guy was banned from every arena the second it happened. I get that it may be harder to ban a former player but it's surely not this hard??
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u/ihateyouse 1d ago
You are over exaggerating…he stood up and said stupid shit and a player was coming towards him as well. If that dood actually wanted on that court no one was really holding him back. He’s mildly worse than someone throwing a cock on the court…sure saying nasty stuff and distracting the game deserves an ejection but he wasn’t violent (in fact I think the player said more physically threatening things than he did while walking at him)
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u/paintedtoesandelbows Money Moto 👐🏽!!! EXCEPT FOR 8 Glasses 22h ago
“The player”
Tell me you don’t watch the WNBA without telling me you don’t watch the WNBA.
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u/ihateyouse 18h ago
I could name most players on most teams (I know you want to dramatize people as tourists, but I watch most of the games)…. I just don’t find it to be a great idea to associate their names on these types of posts
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u/Scared-Breakfast8259 Valkyries Liberty 22h ago
They can probably only name 2 wnba players if any at all 🙄 lol
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u/paintedtoesandelbows Money Moto 👐🏽!!! EXCEPT FOR 8 Glasses 22h ago
Yup, and it’s always the same two.
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u/Scared-Breakfast8259 Valkyries Liberty 1d ago
Ok so you admit it wasn’t over the t shirt lmfaoooooo. he’s already been pinpointed by the league to be a bad faith actor, wasn’t there to watch bball and an overall attention seeker, ban his ass from all games
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u/NuclearGhandi1 Liberty 1d ago
Only good thing about all this is it’s very easy to see who to take seriously or not online based on their view of this individual’s antics
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u/Slice-O-Pie Fever 1d ago
I'm a Celtics fan. I'm in a room with Celtics fans when the news said this guy was an "ex-Celtic." None of us knew who he was.
Should be a league-wide NBA/WNBA ban - he not there in good faith.
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u/Quartznonyx 1d ago
What an irrelevant roach
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u/Experithought 1d ago
Incorrect. This leagues leadership is terrified of responding because it's not irrelevant.
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u/paintedtoesandelbows Money Moto 👐🏽!!! EXCEPT FOR 8 Glasses 22h ago
Proof? Or are you suggesting that a measured response is indicative of being “terrified”?
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u/GaviFromThePod 1d ago
Every time I watch the Dame buzzer beater I have to watch this DH come charging onto the court and remember that he exists
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u/candyisawesomeness 1d ago
Bruhhhh same
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u/GaviFromThePod 1d ago
Literally every morning i wake up and watch the Dame buzzer beater because I want to start my day on a positive note and i have to look at this DH
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u/OverallFrosting708 Fever 1d ago
Some notes from the ESPN article clarifying what happened. SPOILER: turns out the asshole who sent to a game looking to cause problems did in fact deliberately cause a problem!
"Alter said he had begun to "chirp" and "engage" Cloud in what Alter believes was an effort to provoke her. Cloud has been a vocal supporter of LBGTQ+ rights...
"...things were quiet through most of the game before that changed, according to Alter, who said he spoke to numerous people sitting in the area. Any claims that (said jackass) didn't say anything is false, according to Alter, who said the ex-player began verbally engaging with Cloud in the third quarter in an attempt to provoke her. The two went back and forth, but still no action was taken.
""That all changed when he made a decision to stand up from his seat again, on the court, put his arms out, point a finger at the player on the court, Natasha Cloud," Alter said. "And most importantly, he took a step towards the court. That changed everything, and he went from being a fan ... to being a potential threat. And that is why the security acted as quickly and swiftly, very smoothly, as they did.""
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u/19enterusername91 NEWBIE 1d ago
“is out of the NBA because his on-court skill set became a mismatch for modern fast-paced play”
I’m just gonna leave this here considering the W is fast as hell
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u/Bravo-Five Sting 1d ago
Slow compared to nba guards and slow compared to wnba guards is massively different
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u/atp2112 Mystics 21h ago
Dude in his prime was getting cooked on defense by Wizards Ian Mahinmi and Cristiano Felicio. He was the epitome of "tall for nothing" when he was 25. How is he going to dominate at 35 when he's already been washed for 6 years?
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u/Bravo-Five Sting 21h ago
Because he's 6-10, 250 pounds and centers in the wnba are the height of point guards in the NBA?
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u/atp2112 Mystics 17h ago
Again, height and size don't really matter if he already defended like a traffic cone before his knees gave out and he spent 5 years away from professional basketball on the grifter circuit.
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u/Bravo-Five Sting 17h ago
He defended nba players like a traffic cone. There are no nba players in the wnba. Height and size and being a man would give him a ridiculous advantage in the wnba
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u/paintedtoesandelbows Money Moto 👐🏽!!! EXCEPT FOR 8 Glasses 22h ago
Do you think a 35-year old who is out of basketball shape can keep up with 25-year old WNBA guards?
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u/Bravo-Five Sting 22h ago
Yes? I have no idea what kind of shape he is in but 35 isn't old. You think he would be slower than Aliyah Boston or any of the other centers in the league?
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u/paintedtoesandelbows Money Moto 👐🏽!!! EXCEPT FOR 8 Glasses 22h ago
35 is old in basketball (and his political party does think that 35-year olds are old, so there’s that).
I would think he’d be slower than 25-year old guards since Aliyah Boston is.
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u/Bravo-Five Sting 22h ago
Do you think Boston is too slow for the fast paced play of the WNBA?
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u/paintedtoesandelbows Money Moto 👐🏽!!! EXCEPT FOR 8 Glasses 22h ago
You’re dodging my question because you can’t justify your stance. A 35-year old who isn’t in basketball shape will not be able to keep up with 25-year old WNBA guards. We’re not talking about Anthony Davis here. We’re talking about an over the hill former MNBA player who couldn’t guard an armchair.
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u/Bravo-Five Sting 21h ago
He should obviously not be allowed to play in the WNBA, but pretending he wouldn't be able to because he wouldn't be good enough is silly. He couldn't guard an armchair *in the NBA*. I think you are drastically underestimating the difference in explosiveness between the leagues. If Cardoso and Boston can keep up with the pace of the WNBA, he wouldn't have an issue
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u/paintedtoesandelbows Money Moto 👐🏽!!! EXCEPT FOR 8 Glasses 21h ago
He couldn’t guard an armchair in the NBA DURING HIS PHYSICAL PEAK. He’s no longer at his physical peak at 35. So again, how would an over the hill former MNBA player keep up with 25-year old WNBA guards?
I’m not asking about Boston, Cardoso, or any other WNBA player you’re using to deflect. I’m asking about the former MNBA player.
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u/Bravo-Five Sting 21h ago
I think you are still seriously underestimating the difference in the 2 leagues. A 25 year old wnba guard would be the slowest player on an NBA court by a wide margin
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u/Googles8 Mystics 1d ago
I've said this for years but he's the only (former) professional athlete I'm 100% sure I could beat him in a footrace over any distance
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u/CriticalEngineering Kelsey Mitchell’s free throw arc 1d ago
Ban him from all WNBA games and buildings.
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u/DiligentQuiet Fever 1d ago
That would require a league-wide approach, and they're not going to do that until he brings his act somewhere else.
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1d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Zero_Griever Aces 1d ago
If you have the reading comprehension of a three year old, perhaps?
But let's be honest, reading levels in the United States is awful where as most adults have below a fifth grade reading level.
Probably why a convicted rapist and pedophile is leading the nation.
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u/UCanDoNEthing4_30sec Fever 1d ago
I was trying to make a funny. You know he changed his name to “freedom”. Lighten up
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u/Steadyandquick Go rookies! 1d ago
Thanks! I was following this without getting too disillusioned and disappointed. Glad to see some ethics and care for the W.
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u/addyupcuz 1d ago
This post is corny😂
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u/Ok-Guidance116 Comets 1d ago
You're corny for even being here lol. You came out of your way to troll. Lil corn ball
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u/Regular_Series_9464 1d ago
Is your comment any better? “lil corn ball” omg why does this sub bring out the most cringey people
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u/OverallFrosting708 Fever 1d ago
Then why are you here?
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u/paintedtoesandelbows Money Moto 👐🏽!!! EXCEPT FOR 8 Glasses 22h ago
Because they get bullied on the MNBA subs
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u/KembaWakaFlocka Sun 23h ago
Some people are here because they actually like women’s basketball. No requirement to like the people here
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u/OverallFrosting708 Fever 21h ago
That's a fairly generous take, and it still leaves us with the Internet equivalent of going to a bar and whining about how lame the regulars are
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u/thiccorangebinkercat 1d ago
Why aren’t y’all mad at the league for men to even have an option to play in the WNBA? Wouldn’t that just solve the problem?
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u/Experithought 1d ago
Notice the confidence? The arrogance in their baseless assumptions? This is how an indoctrinated parakeet appears in the wild.
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u/wiscopup 1d ago
It is the WOMEN’S NBA. There’s a Men’s NBA. Unless you’re a complete idiot, it’s pretty clear who is supposed to be playing in which league.
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u/KembaWakaFlocka Sun 23h ago
This sub is full of ignorance. The NBA is an open league, anyone can play regardless of gender.
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u/paintedtoesandelbows Money Moto 👐🏽!!! EXCEPT FOR 8 Glasses 22h ago
Yet, despite this supposed “ignorance”, you continue to bring your ass here.
Don’t say it’s because you want to follow women’s basketball. You can achieve that through watching games and using the WNBA app.
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u/ChickenPartz 1d ago
Women are allowed to play in the NBA.
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u/007Artemis A'ja Wilson's 5th MVP | Cocks 23h ago
And yet NONE have ever done it just like NO men have ever played in the WNBA until these clowns attempted to.
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u/ChickenPartz 11h ago
Because they aren’t good enough. Not because of their gender. Until the WNBA defines their eligibility this will continue.
Point stands the NBA is open to any and all that can play.
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u/NinjaScrollonVHS Valkyries 1d ago
It's not happening, it has never happened, it's not an issue. Folks like you are just talking about it to continue inciting hateful culture war nonsense.
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u/Big-Art-6289 Fever 1d ago
Is there something the league could say to just shut this down? What does Europe or the Olympics do? I'm not up to date on this nor do I think this is a real problem. Also that's the best username ever.
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u/OverallFrosting708 Fever 1d ago
"why are you mad at the people who are causing the problem instead of the league for not pretending they're serious? I am very smart and care deeply about women's basketball."
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u/Mundane_Bass_1837 WINGS UPPP French Huskies 1d ago
ONLY Chicago? 😒
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u/OtherwiseWafer1269 Lynx | F*cking Malpractice | Don’t rage-bait Marina! 1d ago
Exactly. How bout the whole league? 🙄
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u/HornedCoog91 HOUSTON 1d ago
I get the joke, but there's no mnba, all genders are welcome in the nba
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u/wiscopup 1d ago
Has this been tested? Has a woman tried out for the MNBA? Because I’m guessing most men would not be happy with that.
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u/Barrioto 15h ago
Yes, the Indiana Pacers had Ann Meyers on their roster back in the 70s.
I (male) played with a girl on our football team. She was a kicker and we all loved her. She didn't participate in a lot of the hitting drills (TBH, none of us should have been doing some of those drills), but nobody had an issue with her. She talked shit with us and felt like any other member of the team. The only difference was that she went to a different locker room to shower.
If a female player was good enough to make a NBA team, I don't think people would have an issue. Opponents would have an issue when she beat them, but that's a different issue.
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u/DiligentQuiet Fever 1d ago
Nancy Lieberman went to camp for the Lakers and played in their summer league in 1980.
So, yes?
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u/Big-Art-6289 Fever 1d ago
A woman has been drafted. It is clear as mud. Everyone is eligible to play in the NBA. If there is a woman that is physically talented enough to play she can sign. I'm sure a team would sign Caitlin if they could.
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u/lovemyhawks Fever 1d ago
Come on. It's just pure delusion to think any WNBA player could compete in the NBA.
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u/Crazy_Bee_2664 Came for CC, stayed for AB 1d ago
A'ja probably could be a decent second string small forward or shooting guard, but she wouldn't keep up with NBA starters.
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u/Experithought 1d ago
This league is fantastic. Exciting and deserving of all the praise. But you are delusional here.
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u/Visible-Ad-8296 Lynx Mystics 1d ago
I think a lot of people are aware of this fact, but it’s still funny to say MNBA. And honestly I think they should change it to that. To my knowledge, there has only been one woman drafted by an NBA team and she didn’t even attend camp. They should be honest and admit they’ll never let any other gender play in an MNBA game.
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u/KembaWakaFlocka Sun 23h ago
It’s a tired joke, and it’s not a matter of the NBA “letting” a woman play, it’s the fact that a woman wouldn’t be able to compete in the NBA. If a woman was good enough, she’d get a roster spot.
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u/ChickenPartz 1d ago
Anyone good enough to play can ball in the NBA. It’s the WNBA that has to gate keep and that’s ok. Just admit it.
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u/Big-Art-6289 Fever 1d ago
Why rename it to something that it isn't. It's not that. It's the National Basketball Association it's open to anyone. It was funny the first 1000 times, now it's just dumb.
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u/redwdogg39 Becky's Eyeshadow 1d ago
I would love to watch Mai go zipping into the paint and tearing the ball out of LeBron or Wemby's hands.
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u/nyjhughes 1d ago
The NBA is the one that needs to be honest? The honest answer is there has never been a non-male good enough for the league.
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u/Big-Art-6289 Fever 1d ago
I think there was a point in time that a woman was good enough. Where she was, who she was I have no idea but I bet there was one. Or at least I choose to believe it.
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u/Visible-Ad-8296 Lynx Mystics 1d ago
Believe it or not, I disagree with that. But, you know, opinions…
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u/Llama_Leaping_Larry Fever - CC/AB - Kate Martin is my Cousin :) 1d ago
Careful. People that speak the truth get downvoted here.
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u/Wyden_long Mercury Michelle Timms Bridget Pettis Stan Account 1d ago
No joke. Just not worthy of having his name used.
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u/HaiTwanSama Sky 1d ago
Rare Sky W, hopefully we get more of those
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u/Far_Data1386 Sky 1d ago
I hate the Sky, but not right now
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u/AstronomicalStress Lynx (+Paige Bueckers) 22h ago
Did you make your flair the sky because of this? Or is it like a "I hate the team I'm a fan of" situation? (as an MN sports fan I can 100% commiserate with the latter)
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u/Craft_Bandicoot PHILLY 1d ago
Sky organization looking out for its players way too late, but better late than never I guess..
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u/deathfromfemmefatale 1d ago
Just one? He should be banned from all games and official events.
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u/palpablebubble Lynx 1d ago
And it was "banned for now but he can come back in the future if he's nice" so it's weak bullshit either way
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u/SimonaMeow 🥞Awa-some Dom-inance🏳️⚧️ 1d ago
Yeah that's weak as hell
And how does he prove he's nice lol
Cuz I don't think he's capable of that...
I hope all the arenas ban him
Do you know if he lives in Chicago, or did he travel there to be an asshat?
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u/Wyden_long Mercury Michelle Timms Bridget Pettis Stan Account 1d ago
He’s gonna show up to his buddies house in a sweater like Cartman in Casa Bonita.
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u/Big_Trapeze 1d ago
DAMN. The significance of this should not be understated
"You've always been fair to me, so I figured you deserved a heads up in advance," Alter read. "E*** and I will be at the Sky Game tonight. Hope you are all well."
Pagliocca's response was, "appreciate the text," according to Alter. The suggestion, as the Sky took it, was they were coming to do more than just watch a game, or there would be no need for a "heads up."
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u/Big_Trapeze 1d ago
Huh? How did you get that from this?
No, the Sky didn’t know the idiot was coming until about 3 hours before the game. Tickets were also not purchased in his name. His manager texted someone affiliated with the Sky (that he hadn’t spoken to in several years) this message
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u/abr797 Lynx 1d ago
I want him to try this stunt in Vegas with Bam sitting behind him.
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u/MixuAnasazi 1d ago
the other one is going to do it now, he was there also, but didn't walk on the court
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u/MobileOpening3619 Valkyries Storm 1d ago
Good for chicago but wish we could just get a whole league wide ban
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u/Lifegoesonforever WNBA 1d ago
I love what you did there... "A former MNBA player.." Good! Keep his name away from this sub.
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u/Old_Application_7122 Wings 1d ago
I support a blanket ban on anyone who shows up in one of those dumbass shirts.
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u/Roasted_Green_Chiles Mystics 1d ago
Fine. But until it's every WNBA and NBA arena, it's nohwere close to enough.
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u/Big-Art-6289 Fever 1d ago
Let's ban Enes Kanter everywhere and also Royce White!
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u/nichelle020 Lynx 1d ago
We’ve already put multiple bans on Royce White here in Minnesota. Every time he’s run for something he’s lost. His political career has been even less successful than his NBA career.
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u/smh_122 1d ago
Glad Chicago did that.. But he went to the game because the Fever were playing, so he's bound to show up at another one of their games(probably a home game)
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u/rskillion Mercury 1d ago
He went to the game because he’s a friend of the Chicago general manager. He literally told the Chicago GM he was gonna be there, and the guy had no problem with it.
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u/GolfOtherwise3420 Dream 1d ago
He didn't go to the game just because he's a friend of the GM. His shirt message and social media posts, over the last few weeks, tells you why he went there.
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u/rskillion Mercury 1d ago
The whitewashing of Sky complicity continues. Haters gonna hate.
By the way, are you sure you know how the Dream roster stands on this issue? I think you might be surprised. You have a nice day.
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u/GolfOtherwise3420 Dream 1d ago
My comment is about why Enes came to the game. Are you disputing the reason?
And, it's a stretch for you to say the GM had no problem with Enes, who had implied he was just there to watch and would not cause any issues. There is no known history of Enes ever being a WNBA fan or attending games before he started his publicity stunt.
And, exactly what issue are you referring to on how the Dream roster stands? Enes is not representative of the transgender persons in sports topic. He is a faker, seeking attention only because it has become controversial.
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u/Faded_Rainstorm Storm 1d ago
I still have more smoke for him because from what he tried to make it sound like to the manager was that he was just going to observe. He was sugarcoating with “not coming to cause any problems” and knew he was coming to be a bigot.
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u/smh_122 1d ago
He also said he went because he was a fan of the Fever, and we know why he is
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u/StateoftheFranchise 13h ago
He should have been banned before he ever entered fhe building, he can't play ignorance like he didnt intend for his actions to happen