WNBPA's Nneka Ogwumike says union, league rebuilding trust - ESPN

CHICAGO — Women's National Basketball Players Association president Nneka Ogwumike emphasized the importance of continuing to build trust between WNBA players and the league days after the parties met to address the increase in racist, hateful and abusive messages directed toward players.

Members of the WNBPA executive and Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committees requested a call last month with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, which lasted for 90 minutes on Tuesday as they discussed harassment directed at players, officiating and other issues.

«When you have moments of crisis, a lot of times we may not always know the answer, we may not always know what needs to be next. But the gap in knowing and not knowing, I think it relies on relationships and trust,» the Los Angeles Sparks star said Friday ahead of practice for the All-Star Game. «So I implored that this conversation is something that should be happening, whether good things are happening or bad things are happening. Because if I know that we're cool, and some s--- goes down, then I'll be like 'Hey let's talk this out,' because we have that foundation of trust.»

Ogwumike, who was recently reelected to her fourth term as WNBPA president, said that she left the meeting feeling «hopeful» and that Engelbert was receptive to players' feedback.

The WNBPA and league are on the heels of a contentious labor negotiation that reached a fever pitch in the offseason but ultimately resulted in a historic collective bargaining agreement.

But challenges remain as players navigate worsening levels of harassment and abuse, with multiple players speaking out in recent weeks that they've been on the receiving end of racial slurs and death threats.

«I think growing pains