In the early 2000s, the WNBA saw some of the best basketball in San Antonio, Texas, with teams like the Houston Comets, Dallas Wings, and San Antonio Stars serving as powerful examples of athleticism, teamwork, and women breaking barriers. However, within 15 years, the Comets folded and the Stars relocated to Las Vegas, leaving a void in the Texas basketball scene. Years later, the narrator found themselves in New York City attending a Pride League event, which led to them attending a New York Liberty game for the first time since high school, reigniting their passion for the WNBA.
At the Barclays Center, the narrator witnessed a diverse group of queer basketball fans, realizing the importance of this space for their community to collectively dream. They saw hope become a renewable resource for the fans, providing a sense of unity and inspiration in a time where hope is scarce. This experience made the narrator realize that similar communities of fans could be cultivating hope and unity across the league, fostering a sense of empowerment and connection among fans nationwide.
Inspired by the sense of community and empowerment they witnessed at the New York Liberty game, the narrator decided to attend all 40 regular season Liberty games as a way to visit all 12 WNBA stadiums and bring friends along to share in the experience. They saw being a fan as a powerful act of showing up consistently as your full self and witnessing history in the making, especially in a time marked by disconnection, apathy, and indifference. The narrator believed that being a fan of the WNBA and women’s basketball was a way to actively participate in supporting and celebrating the idea of liberty prevailing in the country.
As a way to document the vibrant community surrounding women’s basketball and the diverse group of fans, the narrator began taking photographs of New York Liberty and WNBA fans from various cities across the country, with the intention of creating a photo book. By capturing the unique styles and personalities of the fans, the narrator sought to showcase the passion, diversity, and unity of the WNBA fandom. Through their project, they aimed to celebrate the dedicated fans who show up game after game, demonstrating their unwavering support for women’s basketball.
By documenting the people who make up the WNBA fan community and what they’re wearing, the narrator sought to highlight the diversity and spirit of the fans who support women’s basketball. Their project aimed to shine a light on the passion and dedication of the fans who show up game after game, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose among the WNBA fandom. Through their photo book and continued support of the league, the narrator hoped to amplify the voices and stories of the fans who make the WNBA a vibrant and inclusive community.
