Breaking barriers! Former WNBA star and social justice activist Renee Montgomery is making HERstory! She’s now the first former player to become both an owner and an executive of a WNBA team after the league approved the sale of the Atlanta Dream, following Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s Black Lives Matter drama.
Celebrate inside…
Black women making BOSS moves. Let’s talk about it!
It’s 2021 and women – black women in particular – are doing the damn thing. When former WNBA star Renee Montgomery quit the league over the summer to fight against social and racial injustice, she said she was ready to make some wins off of the court. And sis did exactly what she said she would do.
After all of the drama with Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s controversial comments about the Black Lives Matter movement, the WNBA approved the sale of the Atlanta Dream to a three-member investor group. And Renee Montgomery is 1/3 of that team! The investor group also includes real estate investor Larry Gottesdiene, and Suzanne Abair, president of Gottesdiener's Northland Investment Corp. in Massachusetts.
After securing this deal, Renee is now the first former player to become both an owner and an executive of a WNBA team. Yassss!
The team was previously owned by Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and Mary Brock, the wife of chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises, John F. Brock. You’ll recall, Kelly came under fire by fans and WNBA players after she criticized the league’s support of the Black Lives Matter movement. She dubbed BLM as a “very divisive organization” that promotes “violence and destruction across the country.”
Star players called for Kelly to resign, but it never happened. Players also called for her to sell her 49% stake in the team after she wrote a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert opposing the league's initiatives to advocate for racial justice.
Then, the Dream players took it a step further.
The Atlanta WNBA players started to publicly endorse their team owner’s opponent Rev. Raphael Warnock during the 2020–21 Georgia Senate election. They wore “Vote Warnock” t-shirts on TV and explained why they were supporting him in several interviews. Bloop.
The unanimous approval by the WNBA and NBA boards of governors means co-owner Mary Brock also sold her share of the team, which will remain in Atlanta. Nice!
My Dream has come true.
- @ReneeMontgomery #GoDream pic.twitter.com/Bu7jbxbLEB
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) February 26, 2021
”My dream has come true. Breaking barriers for minorities and women by being the first former WNBA player to have both a stake in ownership and a leadership role with the team is an opportunity that I take very seriously,” Renee said. “I invite you to join me as the Dream builds momentum in Atlanta!”
During an interview on "NBA on TNT," Renee talked about the importance of ownership and the future of women in sports:
Thank you to the @NBAonTNT and @CariChampion for having me! Also big shouts to @Candace_Parker for executive producing this episode
The 1996 Olympics in Atlanta was the Summer of Women
2021 is the Year of Women #TheArena pic.twitter.com/AkzSoWEB62
— Renee Montgomery (@ReneeMontgomery) February 26, 2021
Los Angeles Lakers baller LeBron James – who was in talks of buying the Atlanta Dream - hopped on Twitter to congratulate Renee on her huge accomplishment:
So proud of this Queen. This is everything we are about! #Morethananathlete @morethanavote https://t.co/7xddvmG8UU
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 26, 2021
Kelly & Mary released a joint statement following the sale:
"10 years ago we stepped up to keep the Dream in Atlanta, as an important asset for a vibrant and diverse city."
"It was also important to us to help level the playing field for women’s professional sports. We are proud of what we accomplished and wish the team well in their next chapter."
"We will always value the hard work and dedication, and the memories, fans and friendships that sustained our commitment to the Atlanta Dream over the last decade."
Peace out.
In Summer 2020…
The University of Connecticut alum opted out of the 2020 season to focus on social justice issues. Recently, she announced she plans to retire from the league after 11 seasons.
Enjoying the Ride and I am so excited to join Northland in making the @AtlantaDream a destination team! #InvestInWomen pic.twitter.com/kjYTNovKmZ
— Renee Montgomery (@ReneeMontgomery) February 26, 2021
And here we are.
Congrats, Renee!
Photo: Renee's IG
source: theybf
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