Most athletes have chosen to ‘shut up and dribble’ over Gaza | Nathan Kalman-Lamb and Derek Silva

The Silence of Sports Giants: Athletes Weigh In on Gaza Genocide

In October 2023, Israel launched a devastating military operation in the Gaza Strip, leaving thousands dead and countless more displaced. Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence of genocide, elite athletes in North America have been astonishingly quiet about the crisis. When confronted with this silence, many have chosen to "shut up and dribble," deferring to the notion that sports should be apolitical.

However, as one former NBA player noted, there is a growing chorus of voices calling out this complacency. Speaking to several athletes, journalists, and experts in December 2023, it became clear that many are feeling pressure to stay silent on the issue due to fear of repercussions from sponsors, agents, and even social media backlash.

The financial stakes are high for athletes who speak out against Israel's actions in Gaza. Sponsorship deals can be lucrative, but they also come with significant risks. As one athlete put it, "Sponsors are comfortable with homophobia, but the war on Gaza is a different story altogether." The pressure to remain neutral on this issue can be overwhelming.

For many athletes, speaking out on Gaza requires a level of courage and awareness that few possess. One WNBA player explained, "It's like taking another degree of courage and awareness to speak on Palestine. It's an international issue, and Americans tend to fail hard in that arena."

Moreover, direct familiarity with the Israeli context can also play a role in athlete silence. As one woman's basketball player noted, having played overseas in Israel has led some athletes to downplay their concerns about the conflict.

The costs of remaining silent are steeper than many realize. When local runners and activists successfully pressured Saucony and Chevron to drop sponsorship deals tied to events in occupied territories, it served as a powerful reminder that athlete activism can be effective.

FIFA's response to migrant workers' rights in 2022 serves as another warning sign. When the organization told players they had to "stay in their lane" and focus on sports rather than politics, it highlighted the true motives behind silencing athletes on Gaza.

Despite these warnings, many athletes continue to stay quiet about the issue. As one athlete put it bluntly, "In 2022, when people were speaking about migrant workers' rights, Fifa just said that players had to play... When you say 'stay in your lane and just dribble,' you're saying don't take our power away."

For some athletes, finding the courage to speak out on Gaza requires a willingness to challenge the status quo and face potential backlash. The question remains: what kind of culture and leadership ecosystem will we build if silence feels like the best option?

I'm not buying into the whole "stay in your lane" thing . Athletes have a platform, and they should use it to speak out on important issues like this one. I mean, what's next? Are we gonna tell them to just ignore climate change or systemic racism because sports are supposed to be apolitical? It's time for athletes to take a stand and show the world that they're not just about the game, but also about making a difference. And let's be real, if they can speak out on issues like this when their sponsors are making bank off of it, then what's the problem with speaking truth to power? It's time for athletes to stop being afraid and start using their voices to bring about change.

It's wild that athletes are being shamed into staying quiet about Israel's actions in Gaza. Like, shouldn't they be able to speak out against injustice and human rights violations without losing their sponsorships or facing backlash on social media? It's not like they're speaking out for personal gain or anything, but because it's the right thing to do. The fact that some athletes are feeling pressure to stay silent just to avoid controversy is a major red flag. We need more voices speaking out against this kind of oppression, and we need them to be brave about it!

I think it's kinda messed up that athletes are too scared to speak out about this, you know? I mean, they're already making millions playing sports, so a little bit of courage isn't gonna kill 'em. It's like, if a runner doesn't want to support Saucony just cuz the company's got ties to occupied territories, that's their choice. But maybe they should at least be aware of what they're supporting and not be afraid to say something. The silence is pretty scary tho... it's like they're saying "I'm only in this for my own gain"

Umm, you know what's crazy about sports? The prices of basketball sneakers right now are insane . Like, I saw a limited edition Air Jordan for $500 and it's just a shoe . Meanwhile, there's this huge crisis happening in Gaza and athletes aren't talking about it... that's wild to me. My cousin's been following the whole situation and they're super passionate about it . Maybe we should talk more about sports and social issues together? Or not, I guess .

I'm getting really frustrated with all these sports giants just keeping it under wraps about what's going down in Gaza. Like, I get that there are some heavy weights attached to speaking out, but isn't it better to take a stand and risk losing some of that sponsorship cash than to be part of the problem? It's crazy how athletes have this idea that sports is all about 'dribbling' and just leaving the politics at home. Newsflash: we're human beings too! We've got feelings, opinions, and a right to express ourselves. And yeah, I totally get why some athletes are scared of rocking the boat – social media backlash can be nasty – but what's even nastier is doing absolutely nothing?

so its crazy how much pressure these athletes are under to just stay quiet about something that is literally happening right now thousands of people dead and they're worried about losing sponsorship deals i mean what kind of message does that send? that speaking out for human rights is a bad idea? it feels like the real issue here is not even about Gaza, its about these athletes being too scared to take a stand especially when you consider all the athletes who are already taking a stand on other issues, like social justice and climate change

athletes should actually be using their platform to raise awareness about social issues that affect people's lives in real-time. the fact that they're staying quiet on Gaza is not only cowardly, but it also perpetuates a culture of complacency and apathy. sports has always been a powerful tool for change, from the civil rights movement to the LGBTQ+ rights movement, athletes can be a major force for good when they use their platform to speak out against injustice.

also, let's talk about the economic aspect here - athletes are getting paid millions of dollars to play a game, but the cost of remaining silent on Gaza is zero. where's the accountability? the fact that sponsors are pulling out over this issue shows that there's room for change and pressure can be a powerful tool.

we need more athletes speaking out on issues like human rights, social justice, and equality. it's time to break the silence and use our voices to make a difference

I'm not sure why people think sports have nothing to do with politics . Like, I get that there's been a lot of pressure on athletes to stay quiet about Israel's actions in Gaza, but that just seems super weird to me . I mean, if you're an athlete, you're basically a role model for millions of people - shouldn't you be using your platform to speak out against something that's not right?

And yeah, the financial stakes are high, which is a bummer because it sounds like athletes are being coerced into staying silent rather than choosing to do so themselves . It's like, if you don't want to get involved in politics, that's fine - but don't try to silence people who do want to speak out!

I love how some athletes are finding the courage to speak out and calling BS on the "shut up and dribble" mentality . And it's awesome that we're seeing more and more people taking a stand on issues like migrant workers' rights and Gaza - let's keep pushing for more awareness and action!

I mean, it's pretty wild that sports stars are feeling so much pressure to stay mum about Israel's actions in Gaza. Like, isn't the whole point of being an athlete supposed to be using your platform for good? It's not just about winning championships or getting endorsement deals, it's about being a role model and having a voice that matters.

I think what's really interesting is how some athletes are feeling like they have to navigate this complex issue without being " Political" . I mean, we get it, sports can be seen as apolitical, but let's be real, the world isn't always black and white, and athletes should be aware of the impact their words or actions could have.

The fact that sponsors are worried about backlash from social media and potential loss of business is a major factor in this silence . It's like, we get it, money talks, but shouldn't athletes' values and morals take precedence?

It's also worth noting that the fear of speaking out might be more pronounced among athletes who have played or are currently playing overseas in Israel. I mean, there's definitely an inherent bias against criticizing one's host country .

What I find most telling is when people like FIFA try to silence athletes by saying they need to "stay in their lane" and focus on sports rather than politics . It's like, no, we're not just playing for our teams or our sponsors, we're human beings with a voice that matters.

Ultimately, I think it's time for athletes to take ownership of their platform and use their voices to speak out against injustice, even if it means facing backlash or losing business . We need more leaders in sports who are willing to challenge the status quo and have tough conversations about issues like Gaza

omg u guys i cant even believe the response from these sports giants athletes are literally getting paid millions but theyre too scared to speak out about israel's genocide in gaza its so frustrating when ppl say "shut up and dribble" like whats wrong with taking a stand for what u believe in? i mean i get it sponsorships can be sketchy but if ur not comfortable speaking out then maybe dont get into sports in the first place lol

i think its crazy that athletes who have played overseas in israel think they shouldnt speak out against it newsflash: ur a global citizen now u have a responsibility to use ur platform for good and btw fifa's response to migrant workers rights was a major red flag we need more athlete activism not less

omg I'm so done with all these athletes being quiet about the whole gaza thing it's like they're more worried about their sponsorships than doing what's right and honestly, I feel bad for the people who are speaking out because it takes a lot of courage to call out the system and can you believe fifa just told players to "stay in their lane" when they were talking about migrant workers' rights? that's some messed up logic anyway, I'm all for athletes using their platform to speak out on social justice issues like this...it's time to put the money back into people over profits

idk why ppl r so scared 2 talk about gaza like, its not a new thing Israel's been doin in occupied territories n stuff. but for real tho, did u no that 90% of israeli goods are made in occupation? like, how can u claim u r pro human rights n support israel at the same time? it's not about bein "political" or gettin "mugged by sponsors", its about standin up 4 what's right. btw, did u see that stat on Gaza's population decrease since 2023? -43%

I'm so worried about all these top sports stars just staying mum on the Gaza situation . I mean, come on guys, you're one of the most influential people in the world and now you're choosing to just sit it out? It's not right, period. People say 'shut up and dribble' but that's a load of nonsense - sports isn't about politics, but it is about using your platform for good .

I think part of the reason they're staying quiet is because of fear of losing sponsorship deals or facing backlash on social media, but honestly, what's the cost of not speaking out? It's like they're just letting innocent people die and get hurt . We need more athletes standing up for what's right and taking a stand against injustice, even if it means facing some consequences.

I've seen some amazing work from activists in the sports world, like that time local runners pressured Saucony to drop sponsorship deals tied to events in occupied territories - it shows you can make a difference when you stand together . We need more of this kind of courage and awareness in our sports world, not less .

I feel so frustrated when i see these super talented athletes being silenced by fear of repercussions . It's like they're letting their careers get in the way of making a real difference . I get that sponsorship deals can be lucrative, but shouldn't they be using their platform to spread love and understanding instead of fear? It's not about taking sides or being partisan, it's about standing up for humanity . We need more athletes speaking out against injustice and using their voices for good . The silence is deafening and it's time for some brave souls to take a stand

It's quite striking that prominent sports figures are being conditioned to suppress their voices on an issue as clear-cut as genocide . This phenomenon speaks volumes about our society's fear of confrontational discourse and the perils of corporate influence . What's concerning is how this pressure can stifle dissenting opinions and silence marginalized voices . The fact that many athletes are being held back by fear of repercussions from sponsors and social media backlash is a sobering reminder of our society's vulnerability to ideological conformity . As the saying goes, "one voice can change the world," and it's high time we empower more athletes to use their platforms for good

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this one... it's crazy how powerful sponsorship deals can be, even for athletes who are speaking out about something as important as a genocide. Like, can't we just speak up and hope our sponsors care about the message too? The fact that some athletes feel like they're walking on eggshells is really frustrating... shouldn't we be encouraged to use our platforms for good?

this is just ridiculous, a bunch of "athletes" who are too scared to even talk about it what's next, they're gonna tell us to just ignore the fact that thousands of people are being killed because of our actions on the world stage... it's all about sponsorship deals and keeping their mouths shut can we get some actual leaders from these sports instead of just a bunch of scared athletes?

I'm totally bummed out about all these pro-Israel sponsored sports events . I mean, it's not cool that athletes are being pressured into staying quiet about the Gaza situation. It's not like they're getting paid to be silent or anything... sponsorships can be sketchy enough already .

I think what really gets my goat is when people say "shut up and dribble" . Like, come on! Sports should be a way for us to express ourselves and use our platforms for good. We should be using our influence to bring about change, not just focus on winning games .

It's also super concerning that athletes who speak out are getting backlash from sponsors and the public . That's not okay! Athletes have every right to use their voices to advocate for justice and human rights. And if they're too scared to do so, then we need to be having a serious conversation about why that is .

I'm all for athletes finding their own voice and using their platforms for good . We need more voices speaking out against injustice, not just staying silent . Let's build a culture where athletes can use their influence to make a difference!

I'm really bothered by all these pro-Israel athletes who think its okay to just ignore what's happening in Gaza . It's not cool, bro . They're worried about losing their sponsors and getting roasted on social media, but I think it's time for them to take a stand . Like, if they're comfortable speaking out against homophobia, why can't they do the same for Palestinians? It's just not right, you know? And what's with all these athletes saying we should just "dribble" and stay silent? That's like saying we shouldn't care about injustice or human rights . Newsflash: it's okay to be passionate and speak out against stuff that matters!