Petition Signatures Surpass 25,000 as League Extends Deadline

--Bill Walton, Geena Davis, Spike Lee, Earl Monroe, Holly Hunter, Jimmy Smits, Governor Janet Napolitano, Jamal Mashburn, Eric Snow Among Those to Sign--

Indiana's Nikki McCray showed her support for Title IX at the Women's Sports Foundation's Scholar Sportswoman Awards on Feb. 4. WNBAE/Getty Images

Sign the petition now!

NEW YORK, May 15, 2003 – The WNBA announced today that the Title IX petition the league launched on March 17 has surpassed 25,000 signatures. The league has extended the deadline to sign the petition, which had coincided with the season tip-off on May 22, due to the overwhelming response of fans, current and former players, and celebrity supporters of women’s sports. The petition is available on WNBA.com.

The WNBA petition was developed in response to a report, submitted to the Department of Education in February, that included recommendations to alter Title IX enforcement in ways that could seriously impact opportunities for women and girls in sports. The WNBA is urging the Department of Education to preserve Title IX gains and to fulfill the promise of Title IX through greater enforcement.

"The support for our Title IX petition has overwhelmingly exceeded our expectations," said Val Ackerman, WNBA President. "It is clear that many people in our country understand the profound societal benefits of Title IX and believe, as we do, that opportunities for girls and women in sports must be protected and expanded."

Fans and supporters of women’s sports will now be able to add their names to the WNBA Title IX petition through the 2003 All-Star Game on Saturday, July 12. Fans can view the petition on WNBA.com, and those who sign the petition will be joining an illustrious group of current and former NBA and WNBA players as well as celebrity supporters of women’s sports. Those who have signed the petition include (also see additional signatures on attached list):

NBA Legend Bill Walton WNBA Player Rebecca Lobo Spike Lee, filmmaker Jimmy Smits, actor WNBA Player Swin Cash NBA Legend Dan Majerle NBA Player Jamal Mashburn Former NBA Player & WNBA Dad Harvey Catchings Steve Harris, actor Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano Frankie Muniz, actor Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Democratic Co-Chair, Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues Governor Ann Richards WNBA Player Jen Azzi Claire Forlani, actor Former NBA Player & Suns Assistant GM Mark West Sean Patrick Thomas, actor

Former Senator Birch Bayh, Title IX National Education Campaign Co-Chair & Author of Title IX NBA Player Eric Snow Geena Davis, actor NBA Legend Earl Monroe Holly Hunter, Title IX National Education Campaign Co-Chair, Actor & Women’s Sport Foundation Trustee NBA Legend & Detroit Shock Coach Bill Laimbeer NFL Legend Pepper Johnson Donald Faison, actor WNBA Player Tamika Catchings Former NBA Player John Salley NBA Player Antawn Jamison Vivica A. Fox, actor NBA Legend Rick Mahorn Bow Wow, rapper & actor WNBA Player Jennifer Gillom NBA Player Shareef Abdul-Rahim WNBA Player Yolanda Griffith

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