The WNBA has experienced unprecedented growth and attention over the past few seasons.

New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud reflected on how players have wielded the league’s growing influence, particularly during the 2020 season. That year marked the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while incidents of police brutality sparked social justice and equality protests across the U.S., bringing the height of the Black Lives Matter movement to the forefront.

That summer, in the bio-secure bubble in Florida, players across the WNBA used their platforms to display activism. Cloud was among those who spoke out.

Behind the scenes, league officials are reportedly aware of the brewing discontent but have yet to comment on Cloud’s statements. Several insiders say her critique reflects a wider sentiment among veteran players who feel the WNBA’s growth — while financially and commercially impressive — has come at the cost of authenticity.

“Everyone’s excited about bigger TV deals and rising attendance,” said one anonymous player. “And that’s great. But there’s this unspoken fear that the league’s becoming sanitized — like we’re being told to tone it down, to fit a brand. Natasha just said what a lot of us have been feeling.”

That sentiment connects directly to Cloud’s point: that the league’s identity — forged in activism and courage — risks being diluted in its pursuit of mainstream appeal.

In 2020, WNBA players wore protest jerseys, organized nationwide voter drives, and helped turn arenas into polling stations. They didn’t just play — they led a movement. Many of those same athletes now worry that, as the league grows, that fearless culture could fade beneath corporate partnerships and PR polish.

New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud during a game against the Golden State Valkyries at Barclays Center May 29, 2025, in Brooklyn, N.Y. (John Jones/Imagn Images)

She credited WNBA players with being leading voices and helping preserve democracy in America at a pivotal moment.

“Where’s that energy now?” she asked during her interview. “Where’s that unity, that courage? We used to challenge systems. Now we’re afraid to challenge our own league. I’m not saying we have to protest every day — I’m saying we can’t forget who we are.”

Her remarks come amid growing player frustration with WNBA leadership over issues such as pay inequality, charter flight limitations, and what some describe as a lack of transparency in league operations. But Cloud’s warning went deeper than logistics — it was a moral wake-up call, a challenge to her peers to remember the soul of the league they built.

“We’re the league that made people uncomfortable,” she continued. “We stood up when others were silent. That’s what made us powerful. That’s what made the WNBA different. If we lose that, we lose everything.”

“I just wish that during this time we would have a little bit more voices from our league because there was a point where we saved democracy in 2020, and no one wants to give us that. But you were one of the heads of leading that and doing it in a very loud and harsh way, but a very subtle and graceful way,” Cloud said during a recent appearance on “A Touch More with Sue Bird & Megan Rapinoe.

New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud warms up before a game against the Seattle Storm at Barclays Center July 6, 2025, in Brooklyn, N.Y. (John Jones/Imagn Images)

“Which really just galvanized and impacted the sports world to do the same, and it put pressure on people.”

“People forget, activism takes energy,” one player wrote in response. “We’re still fighting — just in different ways. It’s not about shouting louder, it’s about building stronger.”

Still, Cloud’s message struck a nerve. She’s never been one to shy away from controversy — whether it’s speaking out on racial injustice, gun violence, or LGBTQ+ rights, her voice has always carried weight. And this time, she’s not just criticizing the system — she’s challenging her own community to rise again.

“The WNBA’s greatest legacy isn’t the banners, it’s the bravery,” Cloud said. “We’re supposed to lead — not follow. Right now, we’re following trends instead of setting them.”

Cloud’s warning came with both urgency and hope. “We can get it back,” she insisted. “We can keep building, making money, signing deals — and still stand for something. But it takes guts. It takes remembering why this league was born in the first place — because women refused to be silent.”

Her message has already sparked a wave of renewed conversation among players and fans alike. Social media is ablaze with the hashtag #KeepTheFight, a rallying cry inspired by Cloud’s speech. Several high-profile players — including A’ja Wilson and Nneka Ogwumike — have privately expressed support, according to sources, with some expected to address the issue publicly in the coming days.

While Cloud views 2020 as a hallmark year, she also expressed concerns about the decline she’s seen in advocacy in today’s WNBA.

Natasha Cloud of the New York Liberty dribbles the ball against the Chicago Sky during the first half at Barclays Center Aug. 21, 2025 in New York City, N.Y. (Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)

“Every part of activism is important,” Cloud said. “I just don’t want to lose that as the W because we always have been on the forefront, and I would say, like, the last two or three years I’ve seen us kind of fall back for the protection of obviously our families and how we provide for our families.”

In a fiery and emotional outburst that’s shaken the women’s basketball world, Natasha Cloud — one of the WNBA’s most outspoken and politically active stars — has sounded the alarm, claiming the league is “losing its voice.” The Phoenix Mercury guard, known for her courage both on and off the court, didn’t hold back as she accused the league of becoming “too quiet, too comfortable, and too corporate” compared to the fierce activism that once defined its players.

Cloud’s comments, delivered during a candid postgame interview and later expanded in a powerful social media post, immediately ignited a wave of debate and reflection across the WNBA community. “We used to stand for something,” she wrote. “We were fearless — we took risks, we spoke truth to power, we fought for justice. We saved democracy in 2020. But now? We’ve gone silent. We’re losing that fight in our hearts.”

Those words hit like a thunderclap.

The WNBA, long regarded as one of the most progressive and socially conscious leagues in professional sports, rose to international prominence during the 2020 season when players united to campaign for racial justice, police reform, voting rights, and the ousting of then-Senator Kelly Loeffler — who was, at the time, co-owner of the Atlanta Dream. The league’s activism became a defining moment in sports history, with players hailed as catalysts for change who used their platform to push the country forward.

But according to Cloud, that same fire has dimmed.

The reaction across the basketball world was immediate — and divided.

Some fans and fellow players applauded Cloud’s honesty. “Natasha’s right,” tweeted one former player. “The WNBA’s power has always come from its voice. If we get too comfortable, we risk losing what made us revolutionary.” Others, however, pushed back, arguing that the league has simply evolved and that players are balancing activism with a focus on growth, business, and longevity.

Analysts say Cloud’s words could reignite the kind of player-led movement that once defined the WNBA’s spirit. “This isn’t about politics,” said sports journalist Jemele Hill. “This is about identity. Natasha Cloud is reminding everyone that the WNBA’s greatest weapon has always been its conscience. It’s what made them heroes. It’s what made them matter.”

As the playoffs unfold and the spotlight grows brighter, Cloud’s warning lingers over the league like a challenge — one that asks every player, fan, and executive the same question: what kind of league do we want to be?

For Natasha Cloud, the answer is simple — and urgent. “Winning games is great,” she said. “But winning hearts and changing lives — that’s what the WNBA was built for. Let’s not forget that.”

And with that, her words have become a rallying cry — a reminder that beneath the trophies and highlight reels, the WNBA’s heartbeat has always been its courage. Whether the league chooses to answer that call may define not just its next season, but its legacy.