Syd Colson sends loud message to WNBA during heartfelt Aces return

Sydney Colson is known for her humor and social media presence, but she's also a strong advocate for the WNBA and her fellow players — something that was on full display ahead of the Indiana Fever's game against the Las Vegas Aces Sunday evening. Colson, who was in Las Vegas for the first time since she joined the Fever, used an opportunity ahead of the game to advocate for upcoming changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) the players' union has with the WNBA.

Colson was asked if she's happy to be back in Vegas, a question she responded to in the affirmative before she asked if she could change the topic to something else. Colson then referenced a statement from the WNBPA that was also shared on social media Sunday.

"On behalf of me and my teammates and every member of our union, I want to be clear," Colson said. "We remain committed to negotiating the next CBA with the league and the teams in good face and privately. We know that our league is growing and we believe that it's imperative that our CBA reflects the growth that we've experienced in the league and that players should be seen part of those earnings."

"So I am excited to be back here. But unfortunately, there are more pressing things going on with our league," Colson concluded.

The reporter, Callie Fin, took the opportunity to ask Colson a few more questions about the statement. Colson said that the statement means in part that the league is not listening to players the way that they would like to be listened to; as she pointed out, the WNBA is experiencing enormous growth, and it's difficult to deny that this is due to anything else beyond the impact that so many athletes are having.

The WNBPA is united across the league

Colson also made it clear that the statement accurately represents the views of the members of the union, something that extends far beyond just the Indiana Fever. "This is a defining moment for our league in general, our players. We have to understand that we have a voice on this," she added. "We gotta know the power that we hold and make them come to the table."

Sydney Colson is a leader in the WNBA

This isn't the first time Colson has stepped up as a leader for the Fever and for other WNBA players in general. As a person and as a hooper, Colson is known for her signature brand of humor, quick wit, and the ability to make everyone in the room feel good. On April 30 she spoke to reporters at the Fever's Media Day about her role on the team and how she uses humor to guide teammates who look up to her.

A lot of basketball players can lose the spark that inspired them to play in the first place, she said. "I want us to work for whatever the main goal is and whatever the ultimate goal is. But in the route to get in there, you can lose the reason why you do all of this if you're not having fun. It just becomes work, work, work, which is true, it is a job."

That's especially true for rookies, Colson continued, who are often playing after coming off an intense collegiate season and more tightly — and with more pressure — than they might otherwise. After all, they've been drafted but their spot on a team isn't guaranteed, and every single second on the floor counts.