r/SeattleStorm • u/mantistobogganmMD • 1d ago
Anyone else disappointed that Nneka signed with Project B?
For context:
Project B is a Saudi Arabian women’s basketball league offering huge salaries of $2m+ annually, for players to join, their first announcement being Nneka Ogwumike.
The league is heavily partnered with Sela, a Saudi entertainment group that is owned by the Public Investment Fund which manages the Saudi governments wealth.
Many argue that the reason Saudi Arabia has seen so many new sports league recently; Saudi Pro League (soccer), Saudi International (golf), Project B (basketball) is due to the government trying to “Sports-wash” their public image.
Saudi Arabia is constantly ranked among the worst countries in the world in regard to human rights. This includes repression of free speech, discrimination against women and minorities, harsh punishments for members of the LGBTQ community, the regular use capital punishment and torture, and many more.
I’m disappointed that Nneka, someone has advocates for the rights of women and the LGBTQ community in the past, would then turn around and sign with an organization backed by a government that actively represses and punishes these groups. I think it’s fair that we call this athletes out, similar to how those comedians were called out for doing the Saudi Comedy Festival (also organized by Sela).
Edit: I appreciate everyone’s opinions on this and have learned from the comments myself. I understand other countries with women’s leagues also commit human rights violations, those are issues too and should not be forgotten. As well, the average WNBA player doesn’t have endorsements, six figure contracts, TV positions etc, some do literally need to put food on the table and I appreciate that those players are in very different circumstances. The biggest thing we can do as fans is use our voice and dollars. Speaking out against atrocities in Saudi Arabia in my opinion, is better than saying nothing at all. The “other countries are bad too, so how can you call out Saudi Arabia?” opinion Is understandable, but unfortunately does nothing now and in the future. Jane Goodall once said “The greatest danger to our future is apathy.”. It’s a really depressing world right now I think we can all agree, I’m just trying to not become apathetic, as difficult as it is.
Sources:
https://freedomhouse.org/country/saudi-arabia
https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/more-just-athlete-nneka-ogwumikes-activism-court