They see the protest as provoking a “needed conversation about serious issues.”
When Megan Rapinoe took a knee in support of Colin Kaepernick’s quest to further America’s conversations about racial oppression it created buzz. Attention from the political sphere focused on the outspoken ‘Pinoe as those generally on the right criticized her, going so far as demanding she be suspended, to those generally on the left supporting the action.
The Seattle Reign are not a marketing and merchandising behemoth. They cannot afford to lose fans, but their statement is not concerned with that. Their official team release about Rapinoe’s decision is only slightly couched.