By Angela Redding | Los Angeles, CA, | Hollywood Beat magazine | 6/10/2023
Photos: It’s Her Shot
Young Female Athletes are Empowered by the It’s Her Shot Tour to Take Their Place on the Court
With stops in Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York City, DICK’S Sporting Goods and Nike unveiled their third annual It’s Her Shot campaign. The tour strives to create an environment where girls may enjoy playing and feel visible, safe, confident, and connected. Sheryl Swoopes, a three-time WNBA MVP and WNBA Legend, will attend each stop of the 2023 It’s Her Shot tour alongside DICK’S, Nike, and other prominent basketball icons from the local communities.
“The attention women’s basketball is commanding right now is incredible and a positive indication of where the game is headed,” said Mark Rooks, Vice President, Category Marketing and Partnerships at DICK’S Sporting Goods. “Through this year’s It’s Her Shot tour we hope to continue the momentum at the grassroots level, create long-term impact in local communities and inspire young female athletes to build connections, play with confidence and take their place on the court. Nike has been a great partner and we look forward to working with them again this year.”
Sheryl Swoopes
One of the earliest female participants in the inaugural season of the WNBA was Sheryl Swoopes. Women’s basketball declared “We Got Next” on April 24, 1996, as the NBA Board of Governors approved the idea of a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) to begin play in June 1997.
CAREER Information that makes Swoopes a great fit for Dick’s and Nike’s “It’s Her Shot” campaign
Jan 22, 1997: Drafted by the Houston Comets in the 1997 WNBA Allocation Draft.
Jan 15, 2007: Signed a contract with the Houston Comets.
Mar 3, 2008: Signed as a free agent with the Seattle Storm.
Jan 31, 2009: Waived by the Seattle Storm.
Mar 28, 2011: Signed a contract with the Tulsa Shock.
Swoopes basketball achievements include being an NCAA Champion, the Naismith College Player of the Year, a four-time WNBA Champion, a three-time WNBA MVP, and a three-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
“It’s Her Shot” events include:
- pick-up games
- pro-led practice drills
- courtside chats with professional players, coaches, and legends
- product giveaways and photo opportunities
- appearances by the famous Hoopbus
- and sports bra fittings because proper fit allows athletes to move with
comfort and confidence on the court.
The DICK’S Foundation will donate $120,000 to community partners as part of the tour this year in order to support the creation of secure areas where girls can play basketball all year long.
Events hosted by It’s Her Shot are open to the public and seating is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants must be between the ages of 8 and 18 and must register online at itshershotevents.com.
The following are the tour dates and locations for this year:
- May 13 – Los Angeles, Poinsettia Recreation Center – Watch Recap Here
- June 10 – Seattle, UW Tacoma YMCA
- July 16 – Las Vegas, Lied Boys & Girls Club
- August 26 – Chicago, Seward Park
- September 23 – Atlanta, TBA
- October 28 – NYC, TBA
All hired female therapists took part in a formal coaches training program run by The Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport in advance of the 2023 It’s Her Shot tour, which aims to more fully incorporate healing-centered coaching and play into sports.
It’s Her Shot made its debut in 2021 on the renowned Venice Beach courts. Since then, it has made stops in six cities, entertained more than 2,000 young athletes, and given approximately $150,000 to youth groups all around the country.
“…We believe that through our partnership with DICK’S and the continuation of It’s Her Shot, we can invite youth to find their confidence on and off the court and celebrate the power of sport and community,” said Sarah Mensah, VP/GM, North America, NIKE, Inc.
-HB | Hollywood Beat magazine
HB | Hollywood Beat magazine 
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