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 Originally priced at $45, the shirt was designed to challenge outdated notions that no one watches women’s sports.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.

Perry Ellis and Original Penguin Announce Partnership Expansion with University of Miami Athletics

Perry Ellis, the globally renowned fashion brand, and Original Penguin, a renowned lifestyle brand recognized for its timeless style, are excited to announce the expansion of their partnership with University of Miami Athletics. This continued collaboration highlights the brands' steadfast commitment to promoting athletic excellence while cultivating community partnerships in their hometown. Through this partnership, Perry Ellis, Original Penguin and the Miami Hurricanes set the stage to achieve significant milestones in collegiate sports through new fan-focused initiatives at various events throughout the year.

"We're incredibly excited to continue our support of the University of Miami Athletics through new collaborations that will bring us closer to the greater campus community," said Oscar Feldenkreis, CEO of Perry Ellis International. "As a longtime Hurricane partner, I'm pleased to align our brands with the resilience and determination of the University of Miami's student-athletes."

As part of the collaboration, the brands will serve as Official Partners of University of Miami Athletics and will expand their presence at Miami Hurricane athletic events including football, basketball and baseball games, tennis matches and more.

The partnership will feature a range of unique initiatives including an immersive ambassador program featuring student-athlete brand ambassadors from a variety of Hurricane athletic teams. The enhanced collaboration will also include a Community Suits program, an initiative that looks to outfit students with professional attire to ensure they are dressed for success off the field and off campus.

In conjunction with University of Miami Athletics, Perry Ellis and Original Penguin will develop robust fan engagement programs including pre-game and in-game activations such as fashion makeovers for fans, tailgate experiences before games and a stimulating Fan Zone experience for fans of all ages.

During the football season, Perry Ellis and Original Penguin will add a new twist to the pre-game tailgate with the introduction of a pickleball court outside of Hard Rock Stadium. The innovative activation will provide fans with a unique and exciting opportunity to play pickleball while experiencing Perry Ellis and Original Penguin's rich sports heritage and ties to the South Florida community.

"We're thrilled to be continuing this relationship with the Perry Ellis family," said Chris Maragno, Senior Vice President of Global Partnership for Miami Hurricanes. "With the help of Perry Ellis and Original Penguin we're looking forward to the continued development of our program for our student-athletes and the elevation of fan experiences that will continue to make the Miami Hurricanes' fan experience unforgettable. We look forward to an exciting 2024-2025 athletic season."

About An Original Penguin® by Munsingwear®

In 1955, Minneapolis-based Munsingwear – an underwear and military supply company – ironically became the touchstone of suburban sport with the introduction of the first iconic golf shirt to America – an ORIGINAL PENGUIN. Known for its unique, humorous and detail-oriented clothing, Original Penguin offers a full range of men's, women's and children's clothing, accessories and fragrances. Original Penguin is present in North, Central and South Americas, Europe as well as India and the Philippines. There are over 1,250 points of sale, more than 99 Original Penguin stores worldwide and two dedicated e-commerce websites: originalpenguin•com and originalpenguin•co•uk.

About Legends

Founded in 2008, Legends is a premium experiences company with six divisions operating worldwide – Global Planning, Global Sales, Global Partnerships, Hospitality, Global Merchandise, and Global Technology Solutions – offering clients and partners a 360-degree data and analytics fueled service solution platform to elevate their brand and execute their vision. Currently, Legends works with marquee clients across business verticals including professional sports; collegiate; attractions; entertainment; and conventions and leisure. We are the industry leaders in designing, planning and realizing exceptional experiences in sports and entertainment. For more information, visit Legends.net and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TheLegendsWay.

About Perry Ellis International

Perry Ellis International, Inc. is a leading designer, distributor, and licensor of a broad line of high quality men's and women's apparel, accessories, and fragrances. The company's collection of dress and casual shirts, golf sportswear, sweaters, dress pants, casual pants and shorts, jeans wear, active wear, dresses, and men's and women's swimwear is available through all major levels of retail distribution. The company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns a portfolio of nationally and internationally recognized brands, including: Perry Ellis®, An Original Penguin by Munsingwear®, Laundry by Shelli Segal®, Rafaella®, Cubavera®, Ben Hogan®, Savane®, Grand Slam®, John Henry®, Manhattan®, Axist® and Farah®. The company enhances its roster of brands by licensing trademarks from third parties, including: Nike® for swimwear, and Callaway®, PGA TOUR®, and Jack Nicklaus® for golf apparel. Additional information on the company is available at pery•com.

University of Miami Athletics

The University of Miami's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), supports more than 400 student-athletes across 18 sports. Miami has won 21 team national championships and 85 individual national championships in its storied history. UM Athletics is dedicated to developing and supporting its student-athletes in their efforts to achieve personal, academic and athletic excellence, resulting in the highest standards of achievement. For more information visit miamihurricanes•com.

Source Perry Ellis International