BOW DOWN B*TCHES🥱🥱

What so many people continue to miss is that the criticism was never about the comparison itself. Athletes get compared to one another all the time. That is part of sports. The issue has always been the context.

The Lynx knew exactly what they were doing when they put that graphic everywhere. It was on the broadcast, across social media, and in the arena. They knew the conversation would never stay focused solely on basketball because they understand the environment surrounding this league and the players in it.

This is a Black woman. This is a queer woman. She exists at the intersection of multiple identities that already make her a target for some of the worst parts of online sports culture. Every game, every stat line, every mistake, every accomplishment gets dissected in ways that many other players never experience. The comments aren’t just about basketball. They become personal. They become hateful.

That is why so many fans were upset. Not because players cannot be compared. Not because people are afraid of basketball debates. Fans were upset because organizations have a responsibility to understand the reality of what certain players face every day.

And honestly, I know people joke that Azzi is never on social media, but there is nothing funny about the fact that an athlete has to distance herself from online spaces to protect her peace and mental well being. No player should have to avoid opening an app because of the volume of hate, harassment, and toxicity waiting for them. That should concern people far more than any basketball comparison ever could.

Sports organizations love talking about supporting women athletes, supporting Black athletes, and supporting LGBTQ+ athletes. Support isn’t just a slogan you post during Pride Month or Black History Month. Support means recognizing when one of your players or any player for that matter, is being subjected to constant hostility and not contributing to it for engagement.

Maybe the graphic wasn’t created with malicious intent. But intent isn’t the only thing that matters. Impact matters too. And the impact was completely predictable.