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Barack Obama congratulates Mystics on championship: ‘If folks aren’t careful, this title thing might become a habit in DC’

By Ian Oland

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October 11, 2019 11:17 am

Former President Barack Obama took to Twitter on Friday morning to congratulate the Washington Mystics on their first WNBA championship.

The Mystics defeated the Connecticut Sun 89-78 at Entertainment & Sports Arena to become Ted Leonsis’s third team over the last two years to win a championship.

44 alluded to that championship pedigree in his tweet.

Obama, who never attended a Capitals game (there’s still time, Barack), is an avid basketball fan and would play frequently during his time at the White House.

Obama and his daughters attended a Mystics game in 2010. He also attended a Duke-Georgetown game and watched the Chicago Bulls lose a game to the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.

“The only two times I’ve noticed who was courtside was when LeBron [James] was here, and obviously today,” former Mystics player Marissa Coleman said then to ESPN. “And today’s was even worse. It’s just kind of a surreal thing to look over and see the President of the United States sitting courtside.”

NBA superstar LeBron James also congratulated the Mystics in a tweet.

On his LinkedIn page, Leonsis spoke about the championship victory and how the team, and women’s sports in general, are finally starting to get the coverage and respect it deserves.

Leonsis wrote:

These last few weeks, it has been exciting to see the increased visibility of the Mystics in various outlets led by The Washington Post and The New York Times. The media has shown great respect to women’s sports, to the WNBA and to the Mystics. We appreciate the support these incredible athletes so greatly deserve.

And what great ambassadors these athletes are of the city and our community. This season, Mystics guard Natasha Cloud earned the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award for her outstanding efforts in the community. Natasha has used her voice to advocate for future generations and speak out against injustices, most recently supporting the students of Hendley Elementary School in Southeast, D.C. Mystics guard Ariel Atkins held a basketball tournament in her hometown Duncanville, TX where the high school girls showcased their talent, and she hosted a supply drive for nonprofit organizations in the city – all while playing during the season in D.C. When Elena met with a Make-a-Wish recipient named Shaiana during this year’s successful All-Star game in Las Vegas, you could tell that both were moved by the interaction.

There isn’t a league in the world whose world class athletes are as accessible to their fans as WNBA players.

Maryland senator Chris Van Hollen and DC congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton will also introduce a resolution to congratulate the Mystics on their championship win.

Buy their championship gear here.

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