In observance of WNBA Pride presented by Deloitte, the WNBA will promote initiatives that advocate for, support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and its allies throughout the month of June, and will continue throughout the year with league and team initiatives and events.
Happy Pride Month! #NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/Vu7Je0m18g
— W Lead (@WNBALead) June 2, 2021
On The Court
Highlights of WNBA Pride coverage throughout the month will include the Saturday, June 5, double-header on ABC, as 2020 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces visit former WNBA MVP Tina Charles and the Washington Mystics (1 p.m. ET) followed by the Sky matching up against the six-time WNBA All-Star Nneka Ogwumike and Los Angeles Sparks (3 p.m. ET).
The CBS Television Network will feature two key matchups with the Sun visiting the Sky (2 p.m. ET) on Saturday, June 19, and the Mystics traveling to Texas on Saturday, June 26, to take on the league’s 2020 leading scorer Arike Ogunbowale and the Dallas Wings (1 p.m. ET).
WNBA Justice Movement
The WNBA/WNBPA Social Justice Council has identified three key priorities for The Justice Movement, the league’s social justice platform, to focus on during the WNBA’s historic 25th season.
"This is something I believe will be here to stay" – @CathyEngelbert on Social Justice Council #WNBA
— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) July 22, 2020
Those priorities this season are health equity, LGBTQ+ advocacy with a focus on trans rights, and civic engagement.
“The WNBA’s commitment to equity, justice, diversity and inclusion is year-long, but this month is a special celebration of the LGBTQ+ community” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “We also wanted to specifically voice our support of the trans community as our WNBA/WNBPA Social Justice Council continues to focus on rights for non-binary and trans people. We are honored to collaborate with WNBA Changemaker Deloitte to continue to shine light on combatting inequities and promoting advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.”
“We believe people can only achieve their full potential if they can be their authentic selves every single day. When we champion inclusivity, we give courage to those who need it and call upon the world to do better and be better. That is why we are so excited to join with the WNBA in celebrating Pride, this month, and all season long,” said Stacy Janiak, managing partner, chief growth officer, Deloitte LLP.
There will be 10 nationally televised games dedicated to Pride throughout the month of June across ABC, the CBS Television Network, ESPN and ESPN2.
WNBA Pride presented by Deloitte tipped off on Tuesday, June 1, with a double-header on ESPN networks as the two-time Defensive Player of the Year Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury battled WNBA All-Star Courtney Vandersloot and the Chicago Sky.
That game was followed by three-time WNBA All-Star Danielle Robinson and the Indiana Fever visiting the 2020 WNBA Finals MVP Breanna Stewart and the defending champions Seattle Storm.
Additional Pride activations include:
- In partnership with Athlete Ally, the WNBA will conduct league and team ally education sessions on trans inclusivity.
- WNBA social channels will promote the importance of taking a stand for equity and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community with #wnbapride.
Team activities will also be showcased on WNBA social media channels with the hashtag #wnbapride. Teams will offer special ticket packages, in-arena experiences and Pride-themed games and community events during the month. Additional information on team events and celebrations can be found at WNBA.com/pride.
The Power of Revolution| WNBA Celebrates A Quarter Century Of Greatness Tonight
2021 WNBA Pride presented by Deloitte
- Saturday, June 5 –Las Vegas at Washington, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
- Saturday, June 5 — Chicago at Los Angeles, 3 p.m. ET, ABC
- Tuesday, June 15 — Chicago at Minnesota, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2
- Saturday, June 19 — Connecticut at Chicago, 2 p.m. ET CBS
- Sunday, June 20 — New York at Los Angeles, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Saturday, June 26 — Washington at Dallas, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Sunday, June 27 — Seattle at Las Vegas, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Tuesday, June 29 — Connecticut at Washington, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
