Lynx partner with folk band Bon Iver to address gender inequities
The Minnesota Lynx and the indie folk band Bon Iver announced a first-of-its-kind and multiyear partnership on Monday that's focused on addressing gender inequities.
The partnership, which begins in 2025 and is the first between a WNBA franchise and a Grammy-winning band, aims to address gender inequities that have resulted from domestic and sexual violence, sex trafficking, health care disparities and barriers within education and leadership, per the Lynx, and they'll spotlight several nonprofits — the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, She Rock, She Rock and Girls Taking Action.
Bon Iver has been a frequent supporter of women's shelters and its "2 A Billion" campaign will donate $250,000 in grants to 10 nonprofits in Minnesota and Wisconsin that support survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Justin Vernon, the lead singer and founder of the band, said in an interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews that addressing gender inequities has always been something he's cared about deeply.
"Growing up, I was raised by a real feminist mom, and seeing those things has always just been something that I've been really passionate about," Vernon, a noted Lynx fan, told Andrews on the network on Monday.
The partnership will also include player involvement at the nonprofits and the annual Lynx Changemakers Summit, which aims to expand investment in women's sports.
'We are incredibly excited about this innovative and first-of-its-kind partnership, centered around community impact and the cultural connection of sports and music. (Vernon) is an incredibly passionate supporter of the Lynx, and our complete value alignment has allowed us to create a partnership focused on meaningful societal change,' Lynx president of business operations Carley Knox said in a statement.
'I think the Lynx — way before I got here — has always represented standing up for what is right, social justice, closing the barrier with inequity, and especially on the women's side," Lynx star Napheesa Collier told Andrews on ESPN. "Standing up for women and empowering them. ... And then I think merging like music and basketball, there's so many similarities in that, where of course we work in different fields, but we have like the same goal.'
Find out more about the partnership here.
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