Black and white image of a basketball inside a net

Born from fan love. Built for fan power.

The sTORY behind Backcourt Collective

A fan-first, community-first philosophy

Backcourt didn’t begin as a brand — it began as a community with a shared vision of what women’s basketball could look and feel like in our city. From that community sprung a belief that labor done by fans, both creatively and in community, deserved real recognition and infrastructure. What started as community connection became a vision for a national collective powered by the people who love the game most.

Fans are essential partners in shaping the culture and future of women’s basketball. Everything we build exists to honor the people who sustain the game, strengthen the communities around it, and ensure its future reflects the fans who carried it here.

Meet the people we serve

1

WE HONOR

We honor the fans, creatives, and organizers who built women’s basketball culture long before it was visible or profitable.

2

WE CREATE

We create spaces, stories, and systems that reflect the real culture of the W — not corporate narratives or trends.

3

WE CONNECT

We connect communities across cities, identities, and mediums to build a national collective powered by the people who love the game.

4

WE PROTECT

We protect the integrity of women’s basketball by centering authenticity, access, inclusion, and the lived experience of fans.

5

WE GROW

We help the game grow with its people — not away from them — by turning grassroots energy into lasting infrastructure.

meet our founder

Hi, I’m Sandra and I’ve loved this game for a long time.

I played it against my brother in our driveway as a child. I led my team to a championship as starting point guard in fifth grade (shoutout All-Stars!) I was also a cheerleader for 6 years, hands on my hips, watching the game from the sidelines. Even as a college student, shooting hoops was one of my favorite ways to destress.

Women’s basketball was the first space in sports where I saw people who looked like me – Black women, women of color, queer women – leading and winning. As the game has grown, I have felt both pride and tension — excitement for what’s possible, and concern for what could be lost.

Backcourt Collective’s evolution from a watch party community to a national collective was as an act of care — a way to honor the people who built this culture, protect what makes it special, and create space for fans to shape what comes next.

Because those who built the culture deserve to shape its future.

frequently asked questions

What is Backcourt Collective?

Backcourt is a national fan-led collective that supports the people shaping women’s basketball culture: fans, creatives, and organizers. We build community, creative infrastructure, and fan-centered partnerships that help the game grow with its people.

Who is Backcourt for?

Backcourt is for anyone who contributes to women’s basketball culture: fans who show up, creatives who tell the story, and organizers who build community. You don’t need experience — only a connection to the game and its people.

Is Backcourt a media brand or fan group?

Neither. Backcourt is a cultural collective. We don’t report on games or speak for fans, we build with them. Our work centers community-powered storytelling, organizing, and long-term culture building.

How can I get involved?

The easiest way to join the collective is through our newsletter,The Backcourt Report. If you create or organize within women’s basketball, you can also join one of our sub-collectives: The Coop (for creatives) or The Loop (for organizers).

Does Backcourt partner with teams, brands, or organizations?

Yes — selectively. We work with partners who want to engage with fans authentically and support the culture in meaningful, non-extractive ways.