WNBA's Natasha Cloud Believes Her 'Activism' Has Harmed Career

Natasha Cloud isn't afraid to put some WNAB teams on blast, that's for sure.

Cloud, a former WNBA champion and assists leader, didn't land a contract for the 2026 season until May 4. She agreed to a one-year, $550,000 deal with the Chicago Sky. As you'd imagine, she was asked why teams waited until the start of the season to finally express interest in her.

"My free agency was interesting, to say the least. It's no surprise that I didn't expect to be where I was," Cloud said. "Everyone wants me to have an answer. I don't have an answer for why my situation was what it was."

Well, it appears Cloud finally has an answer for why she remained a free agent for so long.

Cloud told WNBA legend Sue Bird that her activism led to teams staying away from her.

"My contract was terminated because I hired an outside marketing agency. Because I was a really happy with the agency that I was with on the court, [it] was amazing; always got my contracts, my basketball deals on the court, but when it came to off the court, I was just being told I wasn't marketable," Cloud said, via Awful Announcing. "I was being told my activism was a reason as to why I wasn't getting certain deals and sponsorships."

Rough season for the Sky (so far).

Unfortunately for the Sky, they haven't exactly come out of the gates this season firing on all cylinders. They have a 4-7 record through their first 11 games.

Cloud has done her part though, averaging 9.5 points and 4.2 assists per game for Chicago.

The Sky will return to action this Tuesday night against the Atlanta Dream. We'll see if they can defend home court in this WNBA Commissioner's Cup matchup.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 10:25 AM.