– ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2 to Highlight 10 Games Throughout Pride Month –
– WNBA Changemaker Deloitte joins the League in Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community –
NEW YORK, June 1, 2021 – 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.
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. 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 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 will tip 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 take on two-time WNBA All-Star Courtney Vandersloot and the Chicago Sky (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) 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 (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
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).
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.
Throughout June, the WNBA will collaborate with GLSEN and Fanatics on an exclusive line of Pride apparel including WNBA t-shirts from Fanatics Brands, the company’s in-house apparel division, with all WNBA proceeds benefiting GLSEN. Fans can purchase the shirts at wnbastore.nba.com.
2021 WNBA Pride presented by Deloitte
- Tuesday, June 1 — Phoenix at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Tuesday, June 1 — Indiana at Seattle, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
- 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
About the WNBA
Entering its 25th season in 2021, the WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women. Featuring 12 teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and social responsibility. Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content and community outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.
In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) signed a groundbreaking eight-year CBA that charts a new course for women’s basketball – and women’s sports overall – with a focus on increased player compensation, improvements to the player experience, expanded career development opportunities and resources specifically tailored to the female professional athlete. Key elements of the agreement are supported through the league’s new platform, WNBA Changemakers, with AT&T, the WNBA’s Marquee Partner and inaugural Changemaker, as well as fellow inaugural Changemakers Deloitte and Nike, and the recent addition of Google. During the 2020 season, the WNBA and WNBPA launched the WNBA Justice Movement forming the Social Justice Council with the mission of being a driving force of necessary change and continuing conversations about race and voting rights, among other important societal issues.
About Deloitte
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 7,000 private companies. Our people come together for the greater good and work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today’s marketplace — delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthier society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Building on more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s more than 330,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.
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