FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WNBPA assembles its own “super team” with newly-formed Board of Advocates
NEW YORK, NY, AUGUST, 29, 2019 –– The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) is pleased to announce that it has formed its own Board of Advocates featuring a diverse group of paradigm-shifters and glass-ceiling breakers in business, politics, entertainment, media, and sport. Union leadership, specifically the WNBPA Executive Committee, identified each Board member to share their guidance and unique perspectives in support of the WNBPA’s efforts to create meaningful changes in the working conditions of the world-class athletes who play in the WNBA.
The WNBPA is honored to have the following industry leaders serve on its Board of Advocates:
The Honorable Stacey Abrams
Founder, Fair Fight and former Minority Leader, Georgia House of Representatives
Adrienne Becker
Co-Founder/CEO, Level Forward
David Cooper
Adjunct Professor, NYU Preston Robert Tisch Global Institute of Sport
Alex English
Retired NBA Player and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee
Sarah Flynn
General Manager, Thirty Five Ventures
Sunny Hostin
Emmy-nominated co-host of The View and the Emmy-winning Senior Legal Correspondent for ABC News
Kathy Ireland
Chair, CEO & Chief Designer, kathy ireland® Worldwide
Sharlee Jeter
President, Turn 2 Foundation, Inc. and VP of Strategy & Development, Jeter Ventures
The Honorable Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Former Mayor of Baltimore
Joyce Roche
Former President & CEO, Girls, Inc
Jerry Stackhouse
Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball Head Coach and retired NBA All-Star
Trisch Smith
Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer/EVP, Edelman PR
Tamika Tremaglio
Greater Washington Managing Principal, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services
Brent Zachary
Program Manager, Level Forward
“As the first labor union to represent women professional athletes, we are thrilled to announce our collaboration with the Board of Advocates,” said WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike. “The WNBPA’s rallying cry for us and working women around the world is “Bet on Women” – a message reinforced and embodied by each member of the Board.”
“Through their professional careers and contributions to their communities, the Board’s members have proven, time and time again, that celebrating, supporting, and investing in women and girls is also an investment in families and communities, added Layshia Clarendon, First Vice President. “We know that when we “Bet on Women,” everyone wins.”
ABOUT THE WNBPA
Established in 1998, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association is the first of its kind and longest running union for women athletes. The purpose of the WNBPA is to protect the rights of players and assist them in achieving their full potential on and off the court. The members of the WNBPA are phenomenal and accomplished athletes. Our union members play in the WNBA; and many play for and represent this country in World Championships and the Olympic Games. In order to make a living in the sport, they play in leagues overseas, too.