Name: Nazir Primus

Social Justice Group: 2021-2022, Pay Gap for Women Athletes

Date of Fieldwork: February 11, 2022

Name of Organization and person (people) with whom you met and their title(s):Felisa Israel Founder/Executive Director of Impact Learning

Type of Fieldwork: Interview

What I did and what I learned about my topic, activism, social justice work or civil and human rights work from this fieldwork?[:: :

On Friday, February 11th, our group had the privilege of meeting Felisa Israel. Felisa Isreal was a founding member of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. Felisa informed us that when she was offered the opportunity to start a team in a completely new league, she jumped straight in.

When starting the team it was her job to make the team presentable to fans. Felisa stated then when going to see NBA games live the first thing you see are videos of the team from the past. She had none of this and worked very hard to get the team where it is today. This team has been very successful in winning the western conference title six times and won the championship three times.

Felisa told us that she believes individuals should be compensated for their abilities, and that you either have them or you don’t. As a result, many good WNBA players should be compensated more than some bad NBA players. Felisa also mentioned that she has invited dance groups to NBA and WNBA games for halftime shows due of her dancing expertise.

It was incredible to meet her and hear directly about what it was like to be a powerful woman in a male-dominated sports sector. We learned a lot about her work background and how the Phoenix Mercury came to be. It was a fantastic interview!