The Phoenix Mercury announced today that Arizona Birthworkers of Color will be this season’s beneficiary of the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup. The in-season competition, which pits conference rivals against each other during the first half of the regular season, will return for its third year this season. All Mercury Commissioner’s Cup games are presented by Bally Bet. Cup games will be the first home game and first road game each team plays against its five conference rivals, all played between May 19 and July 11. The team with the top record from each conference will then compete for a lucrative prize pool in the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game on August 15.
Arizona Birthworkers of Color is dedicated to the growth, fellowship and support of people of color within birth-related fields in Arizona. Founded in 2016, the organization offers services that support families before, during and after childbirth. The act of giving birth should be safe for all parents and through hands-on skill-building workshops, professional development, leadership training and self-regulation awareness, Birthworkers can sharpen their craft in a safe environment.
Lakisa Muhammad, Founder and Program Leader at Arizona Birthworkers of Color said, “We at Arizona Birthworkers of Color are delighted that the Phoenix Mercury has chosen to highlight, amplify, and champion our work to promote birth justice, reproductive Justice, and the promotion of women’s health for Arizona families.”
For each of the Mercury’s 10 Commissioner’s Cup games, the winning team will receive a monetary donation of $2,000 to their selected organization, while the losing team will earn $500 to their selected organization. The team from each conference with the top record in Cup games will then compete on August 15 for the Commissioner Cup Title and a $10,000 donation.