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CHICAGO (AP) — The WNBA is re-entering the world of Barbie with Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky hosting their first game themed after the doll.
Reese, known as Bayou Barbie in college and now Chi-Town Barbie, told reporters the night before the loss to Indiana that the WNBA teamed up with Barbie “it’s fun.”
“Just to see a lot of girls in the crowd dressed up as Barbie — it’s going to be a great night for women’s basketball,” Reese said.
“Knowing the impact I’ve had on a name that’s grown from a little kid in Baton Rouge to the world is amazing. And it’s a blessing. Obviously, I didn’t know when I came to Chicago what was expected of me just going in and just being a freshman, just being able to enjoy every moment and getting better every day.
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Pink towels were draped across the back of the seats in the arena and songs from the movie “Barbie” were played during the break. There was also a pregame panel on women in leadership and fans received a Barbie-themed sherpa belt bag or Hawaiian shirt. This is the 65th year since Barbie was first introduced.
“We aim to highlight the power of imagination, empathy, confidence and self-expression in the next generation, continuing Barbie’s mission to inspire the limitless potential in young girls,” said Krista Berger, Barbie senior vice president and global head. dolls at Mattel.
Ten-year-old Quinn, who was dressed in pink for Barbie night even though young Chicagoans don’t really like Barbies, said she was excited to watch Reese and Indiana’s Caitlin Clark play.
The two rookies did not disappoint as Reese had her 23rd double-double to break the WNBA record for a first-year player. Clark scored 31 points to help his team to victory.
Quinn says he likes basketball because “anyone can win on any day”:
WNBA great Sue Bird, who has a Barbie doll released this year, introduced the company’s new campaign “Give Limitless Possibilities”.
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“The beauty of Barbies is that you can create your own experience,” Bird said in an interview with the AP. “You play with Barbie and use your imagination and creativity for what you feel at the time. That’s the beauty of it.
Bird said she played with Barbies when she was younger and was honored to be the first WNBA player to own one since Rebecca Lobo in 1998. She also feels that the WNBA is a good representation of the Barbie world in its diversity.
“There are so many different women in the WNBA,” said Bird, who co-hosts the A Touch More podcast. “It’s a variety of different people and I think it can be an inspiration for young people to watch and connect with. The same thing with Barbie as a whole, there are different Barbies that you can play with and inspire the creativity of young people.
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Feinberg reported from New York.
___ Savage is a reporter on the women in labor team. The Associated Press’s women in the workforce and state government coverage received financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropy, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
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