25 years. The WNBA has been serving up greatness for a quarter of a century. What else did you expect whilst watching them work? From the ‘Don’t Let The Lipstick Fool You’ days of Tina Thompson and Los Angeles’ Lisa Leslie above the rim. To the monster talents of another legendary Spark in Nneka Ogwumike and the ‘White Mamba’ GOAT of Diana Taurasi starring in LeBron James’ ‘Space Jam 2’ for ‘A New Legacy’ for the Goon Squad. Mic and Daffy Duck tongue drop.
Proving all those haters wrong who said they should, “stay in the kitchen” or some other stupid soundbite of pathetic nature. Not even sticking to just sports either like the King refusing to “shut up and dribble”, these Queens made noise in the Wubble. Playing their season for Breonna Taylor. Saying her name like they will continue to do so until REAL justice is served.
Now to celebrate the landmark anniversary of the Women’s National Basketball Association Nike has released a new range of jerseys that are just as good as the men’s…and will be rocked by guys and girls alike. Forget a statement in the other Association. These are the ‘Heroine’, ‘Explorer’ and ‘Rebel’ jerseys. That spells H.E.R. And with many storied franchises like the LA Sparks and the reigning champion Seattle Storm sporting new logos, this is a good new look. Time to make her story, ‘HERstory’.
Atlanta Dream
Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream took people to the promised land. And like the ATL Hawks black MLK jerseys showing just how much this man mattered, the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream honor the great Doctor who was born right there in Georgia in their actual name. Now these jerseys take us even higher to that mountain top with a beaming DREAM on their white Heroine edition inspired by Atlanta’s National Center for Civil and Human Rights’ ‘Pentagram’ mural. Just like the 16 rays of their red Explorer edition shining a light for equality for all. Add a ‘Rebel’ edition that pays homage to the cities 90’s hip-hop scene and these banner worthy jerseys that the players will play in are your real ‘Welcome To Atlanta’.
Chicago Sky
Candace Parker is coming home. The former LA Queen is touching the Sky in Chi-town and now sparks will really fly. What better way to welcome her back to the Windy City than with a change in uniform direction? Allow the Chicago Sky to reintroduce themselves than with some white, black and blue on pinstripes that will have fans staring at them like the Yankees. Catch them if you can.
Connecticut Sun
How’s this for a connect? The orange, white and blue goes deeper than vibrant color schemes. Just check the “Keesusk” Rebel edition. That translates to “Sun” and this one rises above it all. The Sun are the first professional American sports team owned by a Native American Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe’s symbol of the rising sun, the 13 dots to symbolize the 13 moons of the lunar year, 13 generations removed from their first chief Uncas and the iconography of the Mohegan trail of life is all paid tribute to in uniform. We’ve come a long way since inappropriate named professional sports teams like the Washington Redskins. Now the Sun of inspiration will never set on these tribe tributes.
Dallas Wings
Taking flight, these Wings are hotter than dipping sauce. From the clean home Heroine editions, to the Dallas digital Explorer that could even rival the Maverick brothers on the road in neon green trim. It’s the Rebel edition that’s a real revolution though, like a Spalding through the seams. The star of these green beret colorway honors the P-40 Warhawk. A World War II plane made in Texas and flown by WASP’s. Women Air Force Service Pilots. Salute these top guns.
Indiana Fever
Stranger things are happening in eerie Indiana and these jerseys are giving me fever. The red, yellow and navy Heroine’s are as OK as OKC’s outstanding line. Whilst the nice navy Explorer’s pay homage to Indianapolis’ Lady Victory with a sword knighting. This is a real winner just like the Hawkins hawking Rebel edition of the ‘Stranger Things’ uniforms set to turn your wardrobe upside down.
Las Vegas Aces
The newest WNBA franchise had already rolled out some definitive duds, but Las Vegas have just aced this one. Liz Cambage, A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum are set to win big in this high rolling big-three. Red, white and black. Bet on them all. Especially the black Rebel’s that has “Aces” vertically running down the side like this team baseline to baseline until they have all the ‘chips. Count ’em.
Los Angeles Sparks
Jokes on you. The Sparks pulled off the best April Fools ever with their uniform leak prank. These real ones are the real deal though. Like star of the future Te’a Cooper rocking them in a Matrix leather trench coat and knee-high boots outside a hotel lobby (Dwight Howard you lucky, lucky man). The gold may be gone but the Lakers sister franchise stands on its own in wonderful white for these Heroines. An instant classic that feels like a throwback like the palm tree spark out the K. The rich purple Explorer’s are regal by royal appointment and may just be the best looking new WNBA jersey in the association. The look is Hollywood Nights complete with the Rebel’s digital black Los Angeles skyline that pays tribute to this City Of Stars in bright neon. Just like the mentality of a LAL Mamba edition.
Minnesota Lynx
Paint a perfect picture…and it couldn’t be brought to life quite like this. After the Minnesota Timberwolves paid a tribute fit for a Prince with their purple reign, the Lynx have twin ambitions with their purp’ Rebels. Baby these are stars. Like Heroine Sylvia Fowles. Or the Minny frigid blue Explorer’s with the green trim that is a nod to the hairs on the tips of the ears of their signature feline, the Lynx. But it’s the scales of the MINN Rebel’s paying homage to one of America’s longest running, independently owned and operated music venue close to the Lynx’s arena that’s a whole other animal. Like Aerial Powers channeling The Artist in leopard skin on the back of a ‘Purple Rain’ motorcycle like Apollonia, these are the beautiful ones. Making any picture smashing.
New York Liberty
Justice for all in New York will come with the return of the Queen, Sabrina Ionescu. But how about these whilst you wait like lines for New York’s best pizza? The Liberty already changed their color scheme last year, but this scheduled drip drop is set for reign. The Statue of Liberty’s flame between New and York is straight fire and really carries the torch of the speckled pavement black concrete jungle Explorer’s. Whilst the Rebel’s have no pause when it comes to the ‘Equality’ statement that headlines their teal tribute to the iconic Liberty monument and what that statue stands for. And you thought the city that never sleeps was just about Knicks and all those Nets. Time to throw the book at that.
Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury still rises like Diana Taurasi in these vibes that even rival The Valley of their Phoenix brotherhood under the Sun. Raising Arizona up with a mix of colors that could even put Miami’s city in a vice, the Explorer edition represents a sunrise to the white hot like Skylar Diggins-Smith Heroine home. “These uniforms – these are proclamations. It’s the people who got us here. The home we represent. The family that won’t let us fall”, the Mercury tweeted in testament. Paying homage to their X-factor on the Rebel edition…the fans. What a way to welcome them back to the stands when it’s safe again.
Seattle Storm
The crown belongs in Seattle, but these are the jewels like raising their flag and new logo to the top of Emerald City’s Space Needle. Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird, Jordin Canada and Co will rock these epic emeralds of green and gold all the way to another coronation. Representing the go-getting towns optimistic outlook. And this really is a good one, like the WNBA making their teams names the forefront on these new jerseys, not the sponsors. Next to the classic Sonic like Heroine, the storming Seattle sash of the Rebel edition honors female empowerment and the fight for political engagement. Another basketball team would be nice, but the Seattle Storm are the one, true like this game the city will always love.
Washington Mystics
Mystify me. Former Finals MVP Elena Delle Donne and her Mystics are far from done and these rich royal red jerseys tell that story with a capital city exclamation. Classic like DC’s monuments and statues. From Lincoln’s steps to MLK looking out over his dream. But RISE up, because the Rebel edition with a cause’s gold scripted writing under the pink banner represents the Nineteenth Amendment that gave women the right to vote. Now tell me the words and the voice of these jerseys don’t mean more.
