Storm Launch 2026 Kicks for Equality Campaign
WNBA Seattle Storm

Storm Launch 2026 Kicks for Equality Campaign

Published on August 6, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Seattle Storm News Release


SEATTLE - The Seattle Storm today announced its sixth annual Kicks for Equality campaign, supported by BECU and Symetra, featuring an online auction of custom-designed sneakers worn by Storm players and Head Coach Sonia Raman.

The annual initiative pairs each player with a featured artist to create one-of-a-kind sneakers that raise awareness for causes they care about, while supporting community impact through fundraising. This year's collection highlights Black maternal health, mental health awareness, racial and economic justice, LGBTQ+ rights, breast cancer awareness, autism awareness and more.

"One of the most meaningful parts of Kicks for Equality is that every design begins with a conversation," said Storm Chief Social Impact Officer Sheridan Blanford. "Our players and Coach Raman chose causes that reflect their lived experiences, the people they love and the communities they care about. These sneakers become an invitation for fans to better understand who this team is beyond basketball and to join us in creating positive change."

This year's featured artist, Jayda Noble, is a Washington native and former University of Washington student-athlete whose neo-expressionist style blends athletics, identity, and self-expression. Noble collaborated closely with each Storm player and Coach Raman to transform the causes most meaningful to them into one-of-a-kind wearable works of art.

The custom sneakers will be showcased at the game on Friday, August 16, when the Storm hosts the Chicago Sky at Climate Pledge Arena. The fourth annual Sneakerball fundraising event, held in the Moët & Chandon Imperial Lounge on game night, celebrates the intersection of sports, art and social impact while giving fans the opportunity to bid on select auction items benefiting the Storm Foundation and its Force4Change initiatives.

Since launching in 2020, Kicks for Equality has become one of the Storm's signature Force4Change initiatives, using sport and storytelling to spark conversations and support organizations making a difference in the community. Beginning in 2026, the campaign will be further strengthened through the Storm's Give Back Fund, which aligns each player and Coach Raman's selected shoe cause with a nonprofit partner connected to the organization's Force4Change platform. The initiative expands support beyond fundraising to include season-long engagement focused on relationship-building, visibility, and community impact. Since its launch in 2020, the Storm has raised over $670,000 through the Kicks for Equality campaign to support Force4Change initiatives. This year's online auction of player shoes and one-of-a-kind items will open for bidding on Tuesday, August 11, and close during the Kicks for Equality game on Friday, August 16.

For information on purchasing Sneakerball tickets, read more here or email [email protected].

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