My best friend of twenty years and I share many discussions around women and sport, but the past year things got personal. Her 10-year-old daughter Kalia, is following in her footsteps, playing basketball. She soon began to ask A LOT of questions. Leslie revealed her daughter asked with wonder: ‘Mama, why don’t the coaches ever use @WNBA players in their examples?’. Upon further probing, Kalia explained that as a motivator the Coaches often used the catchphrase ‘Channel your inner Kawhi” (former Toronto Raptor Superstar).
The holiday season was approaching, and Leslie and her husband decided to surprise the kids by going to New York. Kalia was so excited, mainly because of one thing.
The holiday season was approaching, and Leslie and her husband decided to surprise the kids by going to New York. Kalia was so excited, mainly because of one thing.
The @NBASTORE was in New York City, the official merchandise store – which of course included the WNBA Jerseys!
Kalia took some saved up funds as well as additional money from her grandparents and off they went! After some sightseeing, Kalia and the family embarked onto the NBA store. Each of the three levels illuminated one of kind merch – a paradise for basketball lovers. Leslie, not wanting to waste precious minutes asked a sales associate where they kept WNBA gear. He appeared perplexed, “Hmmm good question, I’m not sure”. Leslie’s was bewildered, as the primary reason for visiting New York was to take her daughter to get WNBA GEAR!
Back home in Canada, Kalia was inspired to write a letter to @TheEllenShow in hopes of raising awareness about the WNBA equal pay initiative. Kalia is a kid that can tell you the stats of multiple WNBA players and educates her coaches and everyone around her about the women’s game. Her favourite players include @Candace_Parker, @alliequigley, @CourtMWilliams, @diamonddoesit1, @KayNurse11, @Sloot22 and @brittneygriner.
The sales associate led them to the section and Kalia and Leslie were stunned.
One rack.
The store had one rack dedicated to WNBA.
One. Rack.
Leslie did what most mothers would do in the situation, furiously began combing through the rack praying to find something for her daughter to take home. The majority of the sizes were XXL. Kalia managed to find one t-shirt but chose an oversized @Candace_Parker jersey and left quite disheartened. Being the activist, she is, Kalia walked right up to the sales associate and asked why there was so little available? Why didn’t they have more Jersey for kids? His reply “I’m not sure, they really should though”.
Leslie shared the story with me, and she was so frustrated. We have had discussions on some common myths regarding women and sports merchandise. Many believe that no one is interested in buying gear related to female athletes. False: Nike reported that the US women’s soccer jersey was the No. 1 soccer jersey, men’s or women’s, ever sold on Nike.com in one season. Recently, an online campaign successfully convinced @ncaawbb and Oregon State to sell Sabrina Ionescu’s (@sabrina_i20) jersey. The first batch sold out in hours. Not sure how apparel companies forget the fact approximately 40% of women watch most professional sports. Not sure how apparel companies forget the fact approximately 40% of women watch most professional sports.
Previously, we had Lady Footlocker, yet now if you go into any sports apparel store, @champssports, @footlocker, @SportChek, @adidas – first, you will be hard-pressed to find women’s sizes and secondly, you are rarely or almost never able to find clothing related to female professional sports never mind women athletes. Yes, we wear tights, but also jogging pants, hoodies, sweatshirts and jerseys of our favourite athletes. When people continuously use the argument that women aren’t interested in sports or don’t care, we are constantly reminded that this is a harsh reality….do we belong? Can you even see us in a sports jersey? Do better. And Kalia, keep your ‘Swoops’ on. I look forward to seeing you continue to make moves on and off the court.
