The network distributed the league’s …

The network distributed the league’s signature orange logo hoodie to stars ranging from Naomi Osaka to LeBron James, and through posts on these athletes’ widely followed accounts, the #OrangeHoodie campaign was born. By the end of a weekend that featured incredible ratings and a major on-court demonstration for social justice, the hoodies were sold out, and momentum had built for a much-hyped 2020 season from a “clean site” at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., thanks to the combined might of ESPN and the WNBA. “Orange hoodie is top selling item on fanatics = not rocket science,” tweeted veteran guard and players’ association leader Layshia Clarendon. “Its exposure. This is the opening weekend and the most National TV games we’ve had. So we’re getting coverage. Our stories told.” The orange hoodie has come to represent much about the WNBA, both good and bad.