The WNBA and activism: a case study of Power of the Dream

Abstract

This thesis looks at how WNBA players used their platform to stand up for social and political change during the 2020-2021 season. This research focuses on the documentary Power of the Dream (Porter, 2024), which follows the Atlanta Dream and other WNBA players during a time of a global pandemic, racial injustice, and an election year. Guided by public relations scholars Bernays (1961), Curtain and Gaither (2007), Ciszek (2015) for my methodology. By using the Cultural-Economic Model (CEM) (Ciszek, 2015) and understanding their five interconnected components to guide understanding of activism in sports. By using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006), this research found five key themes in the film: power in unity, bigger than basketball, symbolism and strategic communication, intergenerational leadership and emotional labor, and political impact. The WNBA players did more than play basketball, they used their voices and actions to create change. They wore t-shirts with powerful messages, sat out games to protest injustice, and supported political candidates. Their teamwork and leadership helped make a real difference, including helping elect Georgia’s first Black senator. This study shows how athletes can be powerful leaders off the court. It also highlights the emotional strength and care that went into their work on and off the court. The WNBA’s activism reminds us that sports are not isolated from the real world, they are part of it, and athletes have the power to shape it.