A key in marketing is not letting other people tell your story. The NWSL gave three days for supporters, media outlets, and members of the league to write many chapters of the ongoing situation between Sarah Gorden and Houston Dash security. Now they are handing out fines because of it. Discrimination and fines cloud the first NWSL weekend.
After Friday’s 0-0 draw between Houston and Chicago, Red Stars defender Gorden tried to connect with her boyfriend on the sidelines. Security approached him, threatening to arrest him if he got any closer to the field. Gorden, and her boyfriend, spoke to security, pointing out the discrepancy in her treatment in comparison to Houston Dash players meeting with their families at the same time. Gorden tweeted about her experience on Saturday morning:
My bf came to our game against @HoustonDash + after the game he came down steps to talk to me. We were immediately (before he was close 2 me)followed by security and told he would be arrested if he came close. Meanwhile white players were talking to white fam all over the stadium
— Sarah Gorden (@sarahlgorden) April 10, 2021
Since Saturday’s tweet, a lot has happened. Houston offered a passive response to Gorden, appearing to shrug off the complaint.
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) April 10, 2021
Less than two hours later, Red Stars Assistant Coach Scott Parkinson provided his account of the situation. Parkinson wanted to see what was going on, as he noticed security singling out Gorden.
This is how I saw it all last night in Houston. https://t.co/Y4imQ4q4db pic.twitter.com/3nnygw5NvZ
— Scott Parkinson (@parkinson_scott) April 10, 2021
Two days later, they apologized for their initial statement, but still avoided the elephant in the room of Gorden being the only black player stopped from meeting with her family by security.
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) April 12, 2021
Monday and Tuesday, most of Gorden’s Chicago teammates shared a social media message of solidarity.
— Casey Short (@CaseyShort3) April 13, 2021
— Alyssa Naeher (@AlyssaNaeher) April 13, 2021
In addition, Gotham FC General Manager Alyse LaHue showed her support of Gorden on Twitter.
I am disappointed by some of the events that took place in @NWSL over the last weekend, and especially so in some of the responses.
— Alyse LaHue (@alahue) April 13, 2021
Soccer in America has not always been welcoming for black players, but I have hoped for a safe place in our (women’s) pro league. [con’t below]
Just seven hours later of LaHue’s tweet, the league fined Gotham FC and Chicago for “violation of league directive.” Within 30 minutes came the announcement that the league was investigating Gorden’s discrimination on Friday; asking teams and players to refrain from commenting.
The NWSL hasn’t provided additional details surrounding the fines. The comments above were not confirmed by the league as the cause; which is part of the problem. Without league clarification, social media and first-hand accounts are all that can be leveraged. Their comments are likely fined for impeding the discrimination investigation. Soccer writer Grant Wahl reported that is someone with knowledge of the situation cited Lahue’s tweet and one by new Chicago investor Sarah Spain as the reasons for the fine.
While there’s merit in requesting silence during an impartial investigation, the eventual findings of it don’t take away the experience had by Gorden and her boyfriend. Public support from the Red Stars and LaHue help two people that received racially unjust treatment, pushed aside by the team responsible for providing security and put into the public spotlight for sharing their experience. Support after the incident is vital.
A fine would make a lot of sense if Houston didn’t allow access to security footage or if Chicago tried to stop the investigation from taking place. None of those things happened. NWSL would be wise in looking at the intent before issuing fines. The intent behind the comments isn’t to make the investigation more difficult. They’re helping hurt people. On Monday, the Black Women’s Player Collective added their support for Gorden.
— Black Women’s Player Collective (@BWP_Collective) April 13, 2021
Gorden stands out in the league for the work she does off the field, through her non-profit HoodSpace. It’s an organization that “empowers girls of color through meditation, yoga, and sport.” It’s situations like these that require support from groups like HoodSpace.
The league’s treatment of the situation comes at a time when the league is growing. Also, after a weekend of four competitive, entertaining, soccer matches. Instead of game-tying goals in Louisville or debut goals by Washington Spirit rookie forward Trinity Rodman, supporters are talking about the mishandling of fines and racial discrimination.
In professional sports, there’s a push for equality between athletes of all genders. It’s a fight that goes far beyond the soccer world. The NWSL’s treatment of the situation looks similar to how a league like the MLB, NFL, or NHL would handle it; behind a cloud of suspicion. A void filled in by the public. That’s not the type of equality the NWSL should pursue.
You can read the official league statement on the fines here.
Follow me on Twitter @1ThomasCostello. And check out Beyond Women’s Sports for more articles on amazing women and their sport.
