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WNBA Commissioner’s Cup: How the league is making an impact on charities with in-season tournament

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WNBA Commissioner’s Cup: How the league is making an impact on charities with in-season tournament

The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup is about more than which team is the best.

In fact, it’s half basketball, half philanthropy.

Women’s health advocacy in Black, Brown and LGBTQ+ communities is taking center spotlight at the third edition of the league’s in-season tournament this year. The philanthropic charge is led by the Social Justice Council, a branch stemming from the Women’s National Basketball Players Association.

MORE: Format, schedule, standings and more to know about league’s tournament

Here’s what you need to know:

What are the stakes for the Commissioner’s Cup?

Each team is supporting a non-profit women’s health organization local to their city or state.

After each game in the cup competition, which pitted conference opponents against each other for a total of 60 games between May 19 and July 12, the WNBA donated $2,000 to the winning team’s organization and $500 to the losing team’s organization.

During the Final on Aug. 15, the WNBA will donate an additional $10,000 to the winning team’s organization and $5,000 to the losing team’s organization.

What is this year’s advocacy focus?

The umbrella of this year’s women’s health advocacy platform has four main pillars the Council chose to highlight, including maternal health, mental health, reproductive health and cancer prevention and awareness.

Thomas, an SJC chair member, per league release:

Women’s health is our health. Women’s health is society’s health. Off the court, so many of us are engaged with organizations doing this work. So, we know and feel that more attention, education, and resources are needed to protect all women and our rights to access healthcare and support. This season’s dedication and the subsequent activations are a step in the right direction.

August is also WNBA Breast Health Awareness Month, empowering women to proactively manage the potential risks of cancer. All teams will wear women’s health-themed warmup shirts and host a BHA game night.

Charities involved with WNBA teams for Commissioner’s Cup

Team Foundation Their mission Donation
Atlanta Dream Helping Mamas To supply mothers in need of help with essential baby items. $14,000
Chicago Sky Sista Afya Community Care To provide community mental wellness care centered on the experiences of Black women. $9,500
Connecticut Sun Waterbury Bridge to Success’s #Day43 Campaign To combat Black maternal mortality and support equitable environments for all birthing women and their babies. $15,500
Dallas Wings Sisters Network of Dallas To save lives and address the breast cancer survivorship crisis affecting African American women. $14,000
Indiana Fever The Wheeler Mission Center for Women and Children To help meet the growing demand for shelter and services for homeless women and children. $8,000
Las Vegas Aces NAMI Southern Nevada To improve quality of life by increasing awareness and reducing stigma surrounding mental health conditions. $18,500
Los Angeles Sparks California Women’s Law Center To advance the potential of women and girls through litigation, policy advocacy and education. $12,500
Minnesota Lynx African American Breast Cancer Alliance To educate and support Black Americans in their journeys with breast cancer and survivorship. $12,500
New York Liberty Callen-Lorde Health Center To provide sensitive, quality health care and related services to New York’s LQBTQ+ communities. $15,500
Phoenix Mercury Arizona Birthworkers of Color To uplift the personal and professional development of community-based birth workers of color. $6,500
Seattle Storm Therapy Fund Foundation To empower people of color through mental health education and radical self-care. $11,000
Washington Mystics MedStar Health’s DC Safe Babies Safe Moms Initiative To improve the health and well-being of mothers and infants in Washington, D.C. $12,500

In addition to the chart of local non-profits below, the league is also highlighting several national organizations doing meaningful work in the same four areas of focus.

Pillars Foundation Their mission
Maternal Southern Birth Justice Network To expand Birth Justice by improving access to midwifery and doula care.
Maternal Black Mamas Matter Alliance To help Black mothers and birthing people advocate for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.
Mental The Loveland Foundation To heal communities of color through therapy support, with a particular focus on Black women and girls.
Mental The Trevor Project To provide crisis support services to LBGTQ+ young people.
Reproductive LOOM To educate and connect women through science and reproductive health stories.
Cancer prevention and awareness TOUCH, Black Breast Cancer Alliance To amplify its ‘For the Love of My Gurls’ campaign.
Cancer prevention and awareness American Cancer Society To address health equity, early cancer detection and prevention.

Who is on the WNBPA Social Justice Council?

The council includes the Sparks’ Layshia Clarendon and Jasmine Thomas, the Aces’ Alysha Clark, the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and the Mercury’s Brianna Turner.

Clark and Stewart are both competing in this year’s championship game, as the superteams in Las Vegas and New York have earned the top conference spots for the season.

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