STORM ANNOUNCE FORCE4CHANGE AUCTION “KICKS FOR EQUALITY” SUPPORTED BY SYMETRA & FORCE 10 OWNERSHIP

Auction proceeds to benefit the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. Inc.; Symetra and Force 10 Ownership tip-off effort with $75,000 gift

SEATTLE–The Seattle Storm today announced the Force4Change online auction “Kicks for Equality,” which will launch at 10 a.m. PT, prior to the Storm’s game vs. the Indiana Fever.  Running Aug. 25 – Sept. 4, the auction will raise awareness and money for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF).

The Storm have teamed up with LCKR ROOM, a design company in Atlanta founded in 2020 by Britt Davis and Kaila Pettis. Through this collaboration with Storm players, Davis and Pettis have produced custom shoes that the team will don in the Aug. 25 game against the Indiana Fever. The customized sneakers will be auctioned off to raise funds for the LDF, one of America’s premier legal organizations fighting for racial equality. Storm fans can check out and bid on the shoes at http://bit.ly/KFEAuction

Symetra Life Insurance Company, the Storm’s marquee jersey-badge partner, has made a $50,000 contribution in support of LDF. The ownership group of the Storm, Force 10 Hoops has also committed a $25,000 gift to LDF.

“This has been a really special collaboration between our players and LCKR ROOM, to support the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.,” said CEO and General Manager, Alisha Valavanis. “The seed gifts from Symetra and the Storm ownership represent what this league and its key stakeholders are truly invested in — action to drive positive change. This season continues to be about something much bigger than basketball, as we use the powerful platform of professional sports, to address racial injustices in this country.”

The Storm will also band together with Symetra to host the Believe in Women Night on Sept. 9 against the Dallas Wings. Force 10 Enterprises, the all-women, independent ownership group of the Seattle Storm, will honor Black women leaders from across the Greater Puget Sound region. All proceeds from Storm’s “Believe in Women” t-shirts will be awarded to Black women-owned businesses in Seattle selected by the team.

“Symetra shares the Seattle Storm’s passionate commitment to social justice and applauds their Force4Change platform,” said Trinity Parker, SVP, Marketing, Communications & Public Affairs for Symetra. “As a company committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, Symetra is proud to support the Kicks for Equality online auction to raise funds for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. We hope our $50,000 donation will inspire Storm fans to raise their bids in support of this vital organization that has long served as a beacon of justice for the Black community.”

Force4Change is the Storm’s comprehensive social justice platform that will allow the Storm to effect meaningful change in Seattle and beyond, beginning with the 2020 WNBA season. Bringing together players, coaches, the front office, ownership and partners, Force4Change focuses on four key areas related to voter registration and the amplification of Black women, LGBTQ+ leaders of color and organizations serving Black communities.