Photo: Laretta Houston/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
The WNBA season is in full swing andSports Illustratedis giving fans an extra serving of their favorite female ballers.
The highly-anticipatedannualSports IllustratedSwimsuitEditionfeatures five of the league’s brightest stars on and off the court.
In the photos, the women wear all-black swimsuits — some in cut-out one-pieces, while others wear bikinis with a variety of accessories.
“This is who we are; this is the makeup of our league,” Bird, 41,toldSI Swimsuit. “We represent a variety of things: of course women, women of color, members of the LGBTQIA2+ community and much more.
“My dreams are now reality,” Cooper, 25, said of the cover when sharing the news with her followers in anInstagram Reel.
In addition to their hard work on the court, the five featured women have lent their voices and platforms to fighting for social justice issues.
“These players not only dominate on the court but are tirelessly leading the charge in speaking out on social justice issues- fighting for racial justice and equality and working together to create sustainable change,” Day said.
Day added that the issue coincides withSports Illustrated’sPay with Changeinitiative. “Their participation in this year’s issue couldn’t come at a better time with the launch of Pay with Change and the work that we are doing to evolve and grow our brand,” Day said.
Sports Illustratedannounced the initiative in January. “Starting now, the annual Swimsuit issue and SI Swim’s digital outlets will accept advertising only from companies with demonstrated programs to advance gender equality and drive progress for women’s empowerment,” according to astatementfrom the outlet.
Day added, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have such a badass group of women come together for this specific issue.” The 2022Sports IllustratedSwim Editionis available May 19.
source: people.com
