Six-time WNBA All-Star Skylar Diggins is leveraging her platform to advocate for enhanced support for working mothers in professional sports. Currently playing for the Seattle Storm, Diggins has been candid about her challenges balancing motherhood with her basketball career, including her struggles with postpartum depression. Her advocacy has contributed to meaningful reforms in the WNBA, often informally referred to as the “Skylar clause,” aimed at improving maternal benefits for players. Additionally, Diggins is a key figure in Unrivaled, a new player-owned women’s basketball league focused on equity and support, especially for athlete mothers.
Navigating Motherhood in Professional Sports
Diggins has spoken openly about the emotional and logistical challenges she faced after giving birth. Returning to professional basketball was not just a matter of physical readiness but also emotional stability and access to essential resources. She noted that the transition back into sports was made more difficult by limited support systems for new mothers.
Beyond the court, the realities of motherhood for professional athletes involve complex issues like childcare, pediatric care, and educational arrangements—all of which become more complicated when athletes frequently change cities and teams. Diggins’ experience illuminated these gaps, prompting broader conversations about the expectations placed on female athletes and the systemic barriers they face.
Her journey through postpartum depression further emphasized the need for mental health support and comprehensive maternal care. By sharing her story, Diggins has helped destigmatize discussions around mental health in sports, while pushing for structural changes within professional leagues.
The “Skylar Clause” and League Reforms
Skylar Diggins’ advocacy work has led to the establishment of what insiders call the “Skylar clause” – a suite of policy updates that reflect a shift toward more compassionate and realistic support for professional athletes who are also mothers. While not officially named in the WNBA’s policy documentation, the influence of Diggins’ efforts is evident in new contractual provisions that allow for paid maternity leave, better access to childcare, and extended medical benefits related to pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
These reforms are considered groundbreaking in the sports world, where female athletes often face pressure to return to play quickly after childbirth. The changes represent a growing recognition of the importance of work-life balance and maternal health, setting a precedent that other sports leagues may soon follow.
Unrivaled: A New Chapter for Women’s Basketball
In addition to her WNBA contributions, Diggins has taken on a leadership role in Unrivaled, a new three-on-three women’s basketball league. Founded by fellow WNBA stars, Unrivaled is unique in that it offers players equity in the league, giving them both financial and decision-making stakes. This model aims to provide greater autonomy and long-term stability for athletes.
Unrivaled’s U.S.-based format is designed to keep players close to home during the offseason, reducing the need to compete overseas—a common yet taxing reality for many professional women basketball players. For mothers, this offers a much-needed reprieve, allowing them to maintain familial and professional responsibilities without choosing one over the other.
The league also prioritizes flexible scheduling, wellness resources, and community engagement. Diggins sees Unrivaled as a blueprint for what women’s sports can become: equitable, inclusive, and athlete-centered.
Inspiring a Movement
Skylar Diggins’ efforts have not only improved conditions within the WNBA but have also inspired broader cultural conversations about gender equity and motherhood in professional environments. Her journey serves as a beacon for aspiring athletes who hope to have both a family and a successful sports career.
As more athletes join the call for change, the impact of Diggins’ advocacy is likely to ripple far beyond the basketball court. Her story highlights the resilience of working mothers and underscores the need for sports institutions to evolve alongside the athletes they serve.
