WNBA Line ‘Em Up: Outdoor Court Makeovers
- The WNBA is expanding its influence with "Line 'Em Up," a new campaign focused on bringing the league's official three-point line to outdoor basketball courts nationwide.
- Bethany Donaphin, head of league operations, spearheads the campaign.
- The "Line 'Em Up" campaign launched Thursday at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Indianapolis is slated to be the next location during WNBA All-Star Weekend in July.
The WNBA is making a bold move to empower young female basketball players with its “line ‘Em up” initiative, which brings the league’s official three-point line to outdoor courts nationwide. This campaign, spearheaded by bethany Donaphin, aims to reshape basketball culture by integrating the WNBA’s identity into local communities, promoting visibility, community pride, and empowerment for girls. The program is launching at brooklyn Bridge Park and will expand to Indianapolis during the WNBA All-Star Weekend. The WNBA, partnering with local parks, will install the orange lines, donate to participating parks, and feature the short film by Iris Kim.this creates a tangible investment in the future, with teams such as the Golden State Valkyries preparing local implementations. For more breaking sports stories,consider looking at News Directory 3. discover what’s next as the Line ‘Em Up campaign expands into more cities.
WNBA’s ”Line ‘Em Up” Empowers Young Female Basketball Players
The WNBA is expanding its influence with “Line ‘Em Up,” a new campaign focused on bringing the league’s official three-point line to outdoor basketball courts nationwide. Unveiled Monday, the initiative seeks to reshape how young women and girls perceive their place in basketball culture by integrating the WNBA’s identity into local communities. This effort promotes visibility and empowerment for girls in basketball.
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Bethany Donaphin, head of league operations, spearheads the campaign. She drew from her own experiences growing up in New York in the 1990s, ofen being the only girl on the court.She told NBC Sports that having a visible line would have signaled that her participation was normal and valid.
The “Line ‘Em Up” campaign launched Thursday at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Indianapolis is slated to be the next location during WNBA All-Star Weekend in July. The WNBA will partner with local parks departments to install the orange three-point lines, matching the league’s regulation arc. This initiative boosts visibility and empowerment for girls.
WNBA chief Marketing Officer Phil Cook noted that young women have always been present in park basketball, but lacked depiction. The league will also donate to participating parks, ensuring sustainable investment alongside the new paint. Teams, including the Golden State Valkyries, are preparing to implement the campaign locally. The WNBA is making a tangible investment in the future of women’s basketball.
The campaign was previewed by players such as Allisha Gray and media figures like Robin Roberts.Social media posts featured the campaign’s signature orange arc against a blue backdrop. Toronto and Portland,future expansion cities,are also planned as hubs for the initiative,demonstrating the WNBA’s physical and cultural growth.
To introduce “Line ’em Up,” the WNBA released a short film by Iris Kim,showcasing iconic basketball locations like Rucker Park and Venice Beach. The film highlights the origins of basketball culture and the importance of streetball.
WNBA legends Sue Bird, Chamique Holdsclaw, Epiphanny Prince, and Tina Charles shared their experiences breaking into male-dominated spaces. Charles spoke of the pressure and pride of competing in Queens, while Holdsclaw admitted to hustling boys who underestimated her. The film also features community leaders like Sharon Bond and Alex Taylor. Bird noted that the next generation will grow up knowing this line, representing a notable act of normalization.
“If I had had an orange line while I was going through that process, it would have given not just me, but the other kids around me, an understanding that, yeah, what I was doing was completely part of what any person would do if they love something.”
What’s next
The WNBA plans to continue expanding the “Line ‘Em Up” campaign to more cities and communities, further solidifying its commitment to empowering young female basketball players and promoting inclusivity in the sport. The league aims to create lasting change and provide more opportunities for girls to thrive in basketball.