WNBA President Lisa Borders Responds to Candice Wiggins' Comments on Treatment

Following comments made by Candice Wiggins about the way she was treated during her WNBA career, league president Lisa Borders has offered a response to the situation.

Borders released a statement, via the Associated Press (h/t New Daily News):

"

Of course, it concerns me if any of our players do not have a positive experience and I hope that anyone who feels uncomfortable would reach out to me or others in the league office.

In my time with the league and my capacity as a fan before that, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know a group of highly competitive women who are driven to succeed at the highest level on the court, and constantly striving to help create opportunity for all members of their communities. In keeping with that, I’ve found our players to be earnest, heartfelt and eloquent in their responses to Candice’s comments and, as always, clear in their commitment to our league’s core values of diversity, inclusion and respect.

"

Speaking to Tod Leonard of the San Diego Union-Tribune on Monday, Wiggins said she was bullied and targeted by fellow players due to her sexuality:

"

Me being heterosexual and straight, and being vocal in my identity as a straight woman was huge. I would say 98 percent of the women in the WNBA are gay women. It was a conformist type of place. There was a whole different set of rules they (the other players) could apply.

There was a lot of jealousy and competition, and we’re all fighting for crumbs. The way I looked, the way I played – those things contributed to the tension.

"

Wiggins was the third overall pick by the Minnesota Lynx in 2008. She played eight seasons in the WNBA with the Lynx, Tulsa Shock, Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty before retiring in March 2016. 

She also told Leonard her intentions were to play two more seasons at the time she retired, "but the experience didn’t lend itself to my mental state."

During her time in the WNBA, Wiggins won a championship in 2011 with the Lynx. She was also named Sixth Woman of the Year and to the All-Rookie Team in 2008.