How the “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” T-Shirt Became a Viral Sensation

2024 has been a game-changing year for women’s sports, with record-breaking moments and more fans tuning in than ever before. But it’s not just the athletes who are grabbing headlines—one simple T-shirt has taken the sports world by storm. The “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” tee, launched by a group of female pro athletes, has quickly become the season’s most coveted item. From Olympic arenas in Paris to Hollywood streets, this viral shirt is more than just a fashion statement—it’s a movement.

The Origins of a Movement: The Viral Tee

The now-famous “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” T-shirt first hit the market in December 2023, launched by Togethxr, a women’s sports brand co-founded by legends like WNBA star Sue Bird, soccer icon Alex Morgan, swimmer Simone Manuel, and snowboarder Chloe Kim. Originally priced at $45, the shirt was designed to challenge outdated notions that no one watches women’s sports. It’s a clever rebuttal to the endless comments from anonymous online critics and naysayers, summarized perfectly in one bold, cotton-printed statement.

From Courtside to the Paris Olympics

Though the shirt had modest beginnings, it exploded into the public eye over the summer of 2024. Hollywood celebrities like Jason Sudekis and Chelsea Handler were spotted sporting the slogan, as were athletes and fans alike. Whether worn courtside at basketball games, out on the streets, or shared on social media, the shirt quickly became a symbol of solidarity for women’s sports.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, which wrapped up in August, waves of fans proudly wore the tee, both in English and in a specially-made French version that read, “Tout le Monde Regarde le Sport Féminin.” The T-shirt’s presence at such a global event further solidified its status as a cultural phenomenon. And the momentum hasn’t stopped—Togethxr is now considering releasing a Spanish version of the shirt to continue its global reach.

Why It Matters: More Than Just a Shirt

The shirt is more than a piece of clothing; it’s a statement backed by data. As Sue Bird pointed out during a guest appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, “People say, ‘Nobody watches women’s sports,’ but the numbers show otherwise.” She’s right. Statistics from Women’s Sport Trust show that in the first four months of 2024, more people tuned into women’s sports than ever before. And according to Deloitte, women’s professional sports are expected to surpass $1 billion in revenue for the first time this year—a staggering 300% increase since 2021.

The WNBA, in particular, is riding a wave of popularity. This year’s WNBA All-Star Game set a new viewership record, with 3.4 million people watching breakout stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark on ABC. These numbers prove that everyone really is watching women’s sports.

Collaborations and Expanding the Line

Recognizing the power of the T-shirt, the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries became the first team to collaborate with Togethxr, releasing a limited-edition lavender version of the tee. The shirt’s popularity has led Togethxr to expand its offerings to include hoodies and totes, though demand has become so overwhelming that the brand has struggled to keep up with shipping orders.

Valkyries president Jess Smith described the shirt as “multidimensional,” capturing the intersection of sport and culture. It’s not just about sports—it’s about a larger movement, one where athletes, fans, and media come together to elevate women’s sports into the mainstream.

Final Thoughts
The “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” T-shirt isn’t just another trendy slogan—it’s a symbol of change. With rising viewership, record-breaking revenue, and more fans rallying behind female athletes, this viral tee perfectly captures the shift happening in the sports world. Whether it’s worn by celebrities, athletes, or everyday fans, the shirt sends a powerful message: the world is finally paying attention to women’s sports, and the momentum is only growing.

LOTTO Welcomes Chicago Fire FC's Kellyn Acosta to Roster of Global Athletes & Launches Iconic Lifestyle Footwear at DICK's Sporting Goods

WHP Global, owner of the LOTTO® brand, announced today the addition of Chicago Fire FC midfielder Kellyn Acosta to its roster of athletes, which includes New England Revolution defender Tim Parker, Seattle Reign FC and U.S. Women's National Team member Sofia Huerta and over 300 professional soccer players globally. Acosta, a member of the 2022 FIFA World Cup U.S. Men's National Team, will wear LOTTO footwear on and off the pitch and will promote the brand through social media and live appearances throughout the year.

"LOTTO is a storied brand with a rich soccer history. LOTTO's Stadio OG is my favorite cleat –
I love its premium leather and the Italian craftsmanship shines through," said Acosta. "Fashion and streetwear are such an important aspect of American culture and I'm excited to highlight some of the brand's timeless lifestyle classics off the pitch like the soccer-inspired Brasil Select shoes."

In conjunction with Acosta's signing, WHP Global also announced the launch of LOTTO's lifestyle footwear collection – LOTTO Leggenda – with retailer DICK'S Sporting Goods. Starting soon, U.S. consumers will be able to purchase LOTTO Leggenda footwear at brick-and-mortar retail stores for the first time.

LOTTO Leggenda takes the brand's iconic shoes from '70s, '80s and '90s and turns them into fashion masterpieces honoring the legends that made lasting impact in the history of their sport. The soccer-inspired LOTTO Brasil Select is now available for men and women, while the tennis-inspired LOTTO Autograph and LOTTO Signature is available exclusively in men's and women's sizing respectively. The LOTTO Leggenda lifestyle models pay homage to the brand's unrivaled sporting soul while featuring the brand's latest innovations to maximize comfort outside of sporting competition.

"Kellyn is the perfect fit as we continue to grow our soccer presence and influence in the U.S.," said Effy Zinkin, COO at WHP Global. "His on-field performance as a player coupled with his style off the pitch make this an ideal partnership as our lifestyle footwear becomes available to U.S. consumers at DICKS."

Acosta joins a stellar group of LOTTO athlete partners in the U.S. including 2013 MLS MVP Mike Magee, who is LOTTO's head of talent for its U.S. soccer division and was responsible for bringing in Acosta, Seattle Reign FC star defender Sofia Huerta, New England Revolution star defender Tim Parker, FOX Sports host and former MLS and U.S. Men's National Team standout Stu Holden, Brooklyn Aces pickleball star Pablo Tellez, and pickleball pro Jhonnatan Medina Alvarez. Acosta is 12-year MLS veteran, playing for FC Dallas, the Colorado Rapids, LAFC and currently Chicago Fire FC, and has made 58 appearances for the U.S. Men's National Team, where he was a member of the 2017 and 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup winning teams.

In July 2023, LOTTO announced a partnership with DICK'S Sporting Goods to serve as the U.S. anchor retail partner for LOTTO's soccer and racquet sport products. In July 2024, LOTTO expanded its collection of soccer and tennis offerings with the new pickleball collection including equipment, footwear and apparel for men and women. For more information and to check out LOTTO's latest footwear and apparel.

About LOTTO

LOTTO, a premier Italian sports brand established in 1973, is world-renowned for its innovative, performance-driven footwear, apparel, and accessories, which feature its iconic logo of a tennis court over a soccer field. Rich in soccer history, LOTTO has been worn by professional soccer teams A.C. Milan and Juventus F.C., elite soccer players Dino Zoff, Ruud Gullit, and Andriy Shevchenko, and top athletes including tennis Grand Slam champions Martina Navratilova, Francesca Schiavone, Marion Bartoli and Boris Becker. Today, LOTTO is distributed in over 100 countries and is currently worn by more than 40 soccer teams, over 300 professional soccer players, and more than 200 professional tennis players.

About DICK'S Sporting Goods

DICK'S Sporting Goods creates confidence and excitement by inspiring, supporting and personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, the leading omnichannel retailer serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in more than 850 DICK'S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands, Going Going Gone! and Warehouse Sale stores, online, and through the DICK'S mobile app. DICK'S also owns and operates DICK'S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile platform for live streaming, scheduling, communications and scorekeeping.

Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, DICK'S has been a longtime champion for youth sports and, together with its Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support under-resourced teams and athletes through the Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about DICK'S business, corporate giving, sustainability efforts and employment opportunities.

Source WHP Global

 

 

Cooper Flagg And Sadie Engelhardt Named Gatorade Best Players Of The Year

Gatorade named Sadie Engelhardt and Cooper Flagg as the 2023-24 Gatorade Best Female and Best Male Players of the Year, distinguishing the duo as the best high school athletes in the nation. Former Gatorade Best Female Players of the Year Candace Parker and Paige Bueckers presented the honors live on stage at the 2024 ESPYs. With their selection, Flagg and Engelhardt join an elite alumni group forged over 20 years that includes Jayson Tatum, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Gatorade Best Player of the Year announcement is the culmination of an unparalleled Gatorade Player of the Year Awards experience that brought the 12 Gatorade National Players of the Year, the best of the best in high school sports, to Los Angeles for a week-long celebration. From photoshoots and first access to the latest Gatorade iD Drop to an exclusive celebration with a performance by Lil Yachty and their favorite pro athletes and opportunities to give back to the next generation, the immersive week is designed to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments in a way only Gatorade can.

"Our Gatorade Player of the Year class embodies the future of sport, so we're energized to celebrate their accomplishments and bright futures during this one-of-a-kind experience," said Gatorade president and general manager Mike Del Pozzo. "For decades Gatorade Players of the Year have gone on to have incredible success both on the field of play and in their communities, and we can't wait to see what these athletes do next."

Through Gatorade's Equity in Sports initiative, each year, Gatorade brings some of its Players of the Year to local sports organizations across Los Angeles to advance access to sport for young athletes in the city. As part of this year's experience, a few of Gatorade's Players of the Year stopped by Hollywood High School to surprise LA Rec&Parks and Girls Athletic Leadership School. 2022-23 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year and USC guard Juju Watkins was also in attendance to present each organization with a $25,000 donation that will cover the cost of their sports programming, equipment, and fees for the next year.

Additionally, as part of Gatorade's commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Gatorade Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. From there, each athlete may also submit a short video explaining why the organization they chose is deserving of a Spotlight Grant, which awards an additional $10,000 to give to the organization. This year's twelve Spotlight Grant recipients joined Gatorade in Los Angeles for the Player of the Year Awards celebration. To date, Gatorade Player of the Year winners' grants have totaled more than $4.9 million across more than 1,600 organizations.

The 12 National Players of the Year also received exclusive first-access to Gatorade's limited-edition Drop co-created with UNINTERRUPTED, with Engelhardt and Flagg as the first to model the collection. The Drop, made up of two capsules including a vintage-inspired Gatorade branded track jacket and towel and a t-shirt, limited-edition snapback and Gx bottle, will be available for sale on the brand's free membership platform, Gatorade iD, beginning on Friday, July 12 at 10 a.m. ET, with limited quantities available.

2023-24 GATORADE BEST PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

Sadie Engelhardt: California's three-time Gatorade Girls Track & Field Player of the Year, Engelhardt finished as the national leader in four events this past season and sparked the Cougars to a second-place team finish at the state meet. She crossed the line in 4:28.46 seconds to break the national high school record in the mile at the HOKA Festival of Miles, and clocked a 4:08.86 in the 1500-meter run while competing against pros at the Portland Track Festival—that time ranks No. 5 in U.S. girls prep history and qualified her for the U.S. Olympic Trials. Below are additional facts about Engelhardt: 

• Also the Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Player of the Year from 2022-24, she broke the California record in the 1600 with a 4:32.06 at the state meet, the fastest time ever in the event in a meet with high school-only competitors.
• Earlier in the season at the Azusa Pacific Meet of Champions, she broke the tape in the 800 in 2:03.46, which is the nation's No. 1 time by a prep girl in 2024.
• Volunteered locally on behalf of Runners For Public Lands, helping to clean trails and other places to run around Ventura County.
• Engelhardt has maintained a weighted 4.59 GPA in the classroom.
• Made a verbal commitment to compete on scholarship at NC State beginning in the fall of 2025.

Cooper Flagg: The nation's No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2024 by ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals, Flagg led the Montverde Eagles to a 34-0 record and the Chipotle Nationals title. Also the 2021-22 Gatorade Maine Player of the Year, Flagg is a McDonald's All-American Game selection, the 2024 Naismith Award National High School Player of the Year and a member of both Nike Hoop Summit Team USA and the Jordan Brand Classic squad. Below are additional facts about Flagg:

• The 2021-22 Gatorade Maine Player of the Year averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 blocks and 1.6 steals this past season.
• In addition, he shot 55.1 percent from the field during the season.
• Participated in fundraisers for both the Ronald McDonald House and Donovan Kurt Memorial Cancer Fund, as well as volunteered at youth basketball camps and clinics in both Maine and Florida.
• Flagg has maintained a weighted 4.10 GPA in the classroom.
• Signed a national letter of intent to play basketball on scholarship at Duke University this fall.

About The Gatorade Portfolio 
The Gatorade Portfolio, a division of PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), is a connected performance and wellness ecosystem built to fuel all athletes and exercisers. Bringing together Gatorade, Fast Twitch, Propel, Evolve and Muscle Milk, the Gatorade Portfolio is the most complete offering in the category today, with a broad range of personalized solutions at every stage of the athlete journey. This integrated system of brands is built on Gatorade's 59-year history of studying athletes and is fueling the future of athletic performance and wellness by delivering solutions across hydration, protein, energy and all-day nutrition to fuel consumers, no matter how or why they sweat.

About PepsiCo    
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people.

Source The Gatorade Company

 

 

Reese's and All-Star Angel Reese Team Up for a Fan-Requested Merch Collection

Hold onto your Reese's Pieces candy, Angel fans! Reese's has joined forces with none other than pro basketball sensation and fashion icon Angel Reese to bring you a limited-edition merch collaboration that's everything you've been asking for. Literally.

After reading thousands of comments from Reese's and Angel Reese fans – the chocolate and peanut butter icon teamed up with the rookie double-double queen for the first-of-its-kind fan-inspired collaboration. This collection is all about celebrating the fans, with nods to "The Reese's Pieces" and "The Queen" herself, with designs that capture her unique style and your love for all things Reese's.