NEW YORK – The WNBA will celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month in June with activities and initiatives that empower teams, players, fans and employees to share their voices and create a more inclusive environment for their communities.

 “The WNBA is thrilled to unite with our players, teams, partners and fans during Pride Month to amplify our shared values of equality, inclusion and respect,” said WNBA President Lisa Borders.  “Honoring the WNBA’s diverse community is always a highlight of our season.”

As part of Pride Month, ESPN2 will feature five nationally televised games.  The action tips off today when the Phoenix Mercury visits the 2017 WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx at 8 p.m. ET.

ESPN2’s coverage continues with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the Seattle Storm on June 7 (10:30 p.m. ET), followed by the Washington Mystics visiting the Connecticut Sun on June 13 (7 p.m. ET).  Next, the New York Liberty will visit its former head coach Bill Laimbeer and the Las Vegas Aces on June 22 (10 p.m. ET).  To close the month, the Sparks will meet the Storm on June 28 in Seattle (9 p.m. ET).

In celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month, the WNBA will again collaborate with GLSEN and Fanatics on an exclusive line of Pride apparel, including Fanatics-branded WNBA T-shirts and New Era caps featuring league and team logos.  The products will be available on WNBAStore.com, with all league proceeds benefiting GLSEN.

Fans interested in further supporting GLSEN can also purchase a ticket through the WNBA’s Take a Seat, Take A Stand program.  For each ticket purchased, fans can choose for the WNBA to donate $5 to GLSEN as well as provide a ticket to the organization to send a young woman or girl to a game.  Fans can also choose to donate tickets directly to GLSEN. Go to wnba.com/TakeAStand to participate.

Throughout June, team activities will be showcased on WNBA and NBA social media channels with the hashtag #wnbapride.  Teams will offer special ticket packages, in-arena experiences and Pride-themed games and community events during the month.  They will also participate in local Pride marches and festivals and activate with local Pride groups.  Additional information on team events and celebrations can be found at WNBA.com/pride.

On June 24, the WNBA will again march and have a float in the New York City Pride March.  The league will march with the NBA, NBA G League and NBA 2K League.

The 2018 WNBA regular season runs through Aug. 19.  For more information on the WNBA, game tickets and the full 2018 schedule, visit wnba.com.