This has been a year of firsts for the Toronto Raptors, who in the spring captured the first Eastern Conference and NBA titles in team history. Now, the Canadian club will look to accomplish another first, becoming the initial NBA team to offer branded hijabs in a bid to be more inclusive.
Inspired by those brave enough to change the game.
The Toronto Raptors Nike Pro Hijab is available now.#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/D1fY1mWGhy
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 13, 2019
The Hijabi Ballers, a Muslim women’s team, served as the local inspiration for the Raptors to make history through the branded hijabs, as the NBA squad’s parent company, Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, made the public aware of the products on Friday. The Raptors were a hot ticket during the most recently completed NBA season, as these attendance totals reflect, and everyone will be looking to topple them, especially now that they face the daunting task of defending their crown without star small forward Kawhi Leonard. No matter who fills their roster, the champs are striving to show that every fan and every fellow hoopster deserves recognition.
The branded hijabs, which are going for $39.99 at the organization’s Scotiabank Arena, received design input from the Hijabi Ballers, with the squad’s founder, Amreen Kadwa, seeing the apparel options as working to create “an atmosphere where girls who play basketball can do so with more confidence and more empowerment, and actually feel welcome in that space.” The introduction of the item furthers the call for acceptance among female athletes who identify as Muslim, with Promo Marketing having documented other good-news instances involving such performers.
Now that fall is nearly upon us, basketball season will be commencing soon, and the Raptors could go from being a recipient of inspiration through the Hijabi Ballers to becoming a source of motivation for other NBA clubs to offer branded hijabs. Kadwa hailed the items as “the beginning of our relationship with the Raptors and Nike.” Given her stance and wish that the WNBA and NHL will one day follow suit, do you envision such garments gaining even more traction in the sports world?
