Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade draws responses across the sports world, from Billie Jean King to LeBron James

Meredith CashJun 28, 2022, 04:44 IST

Pro-choice activists protest in response to the leaked Supreme Court draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in front of the US Supreme Court May 3, 2022 in Washington, DC.Alex Wong/Getty Images

The US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion.
Athletes and teams across the sports world quickly responded to the landmark decision.

The US Supreme Court announced Friday its highly-anticipated decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark ruling that made access to abortion a constitutional right across the country.

In a 5-4 vote, conservative justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett erased nearly 50 years of legal precedent on one of the most hotly debated social issues in modern American history.

And almost immediately, some of the biggest names and entities across the world of sports spoke out about the decision. From tennis legend Billie Jean King to former NBA stars and the WNBA players union, here's who's weighed in on SCOTUS' move to overturn Roe v. Wade:

Orlando Magic point guard Devin Cannady tweeted that "this country needs to be better" in response to the decision.

In a follow-up post, he added that the decision is "a POWER grab over WOMEN."

Denver Nuggets star Austin Rivers questioned "Is America going backwards??"

Former NBA star Richard Jefferson noted that, after celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX one day earlier, "We go from celebrating womens rights to dictating them again."

Phoenix Mercury star Brianna Turner suggested that Americans should "vote to eliminate the Supreme Court" in subsequent elections following the decision.

While the Minnesota Lynx's Natalie Achonwa wrote that she's "feeling sick & heartbroken" after hearing the news.

Los Angeles Sparks forward Katie Lou Samuelson called the decision "an absolute travesty."

And Seattle Storm superstar Sue Bird kept it short, writing that she's "gutted."

The WNBA's Seattle Storm wrote that they are "furious and ready to fight."

And the entire WNBA players' association wrote that SCOTUS' move "provides a treacherous pathway to abortion bans that reinforce economic, social, and political inequalities."

While the league itself issued a statement of disagreement with the decision, in conjunction with the NBA, and committed to "ensuring our employees have access to reproductive healthcare, regardless of their location."

Tennis legend and feminist icon Billie Jean King — who was paramount to the growth of women's sports in the United States — said it's "a sad day in the United States."

And Clemson Tigers defensive end Xavier Thomas tweeted out his intention to "Stand with our Women."

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray wrote: "No one should be able to force their beliefs on anyone's body."

National Women's Soccer League club NJ/NY Gotham FC said it "vehemently objects" to the ruling announced Friday morning.

And NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said on behalf of the league that "Reproductive rights are human rights."

US Women's National Team star Lindsey Horan told media that she sees the decision as "taking a step backwards for our country."

Metropolitan Riveters forward Madison Packer said that "who you vote for matters" when it comes to issues like women's reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and gun rights.

LeBron James weighed in by noting that the decision was "ABSOLUTELY ABOUT POWER & CONTROL!!"

And US Women's National Team superstar Megan Rapinoe gave a long, emotional explanation of her stance on the "cruel" ruling.

Megan Rapinoe.AP Photo/David J. Phillip

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