On June 22nd, Natasha Cloud of the Washington Mystics announced she will be opting out of the WNBA season to focus on resolving social injustice. Since then, Cloud’s involvement with the WNBA is only growing stronger. Her teammate Elena Delle Donne requested a medical evaluation. Delle Donne sought to get excused out of the 2020 season for medical reasons. Although she is at risk since she has Lyme disease, she was cleared eligible to play. Since this denial, Natasha Cloud advocates for EDD.
Frustration is Present
It’s bullshit. @WNBA either play or risk her life…what do we stand for? Cause apparently it’s not the players. https://t.co/oCknxnLj5z
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) July 14, 2020
After it was announced the EDD was denied an opt-out, Cloud took to Twitter. Cloud uses her platform to express her disappointment with the league on this denial. She wonders along with many fans why someone with a chronic illness is denied a medical opt-out. The frustration is present throughout the league and players both inside and outside of the bubble.
Cloud tweets, “@WNBA either play or risk her life… what do we stand for? Cause it’s apparently not the players”
I said what I said. Y’all playing with the wrong MVP’s campaign manager.
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) July 14, 2020
It’s me…I’m the campaign manager. pic.twitter.com/qh0G9ljpcF
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) July 14, 2020
Using Their Voices
Natasha Cloud advocates for EDD beyond a teammate level. Cloud refers to herself as the campaign manager for a star player and last year’s MVP, EDD. Cloud finds EDD’s request denial absurd. She believes the league is mistreating Elena and finds it completely unfair. On July 15th, Delle Donne published an article with The Players Tribune titled, An Open Letter About My Health. This gives people more of an insight on Delle Donne’s battle with Lyme disease. Cloud has been consistently sharing this story on her social media accounts.
Delle Donne states in her article, “I didn’t even think it was a question whether I would be exempt or not. I didn’t need a panel of league doctors to tell me that my immune system was high risk…”
Cloud takes to Twitter and her Instagram stories to share her frustration with this decision. She quotes Delle Donne’s tweet and emphasizes the fact that the league believes her doctors are wrong. Although Cloud is not directly fighting EDD’s battles against both the league and Lyme disease. She has been a huge asset in advocating for EDD and been alongside her during this journey. I applaud Cloud for taking a stand and helping her teammate and friend fight this battle.
🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣 https://t.co/FNuiODoZ19
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) July 15, 2020
Make sure to follow my Twitter @aislynjowers for more of my content and follow @beyondwsports for more content. Read my latest article Wubble Talk with Diamond DeShields. Make sure to keep a lookout for my next article. Be sure to check out Beyond Women’s Sports for more articles on amazing women and their sport.
