01 — STANDING IN SOLIDARITY
The Origin Story of Fans Rise Up
Fans Rise Up began as a moment of intervention.
On August 18, 2024, after witnessing the relentless booing Dearica Hamby endured in Las Vegas, we knew silence wasn’t an option. Dearica is not only an elite athlete and newly minted Olympic medalist, but also a devoted single mother who bravely filed a federal discrimination suit. To see her courage met with hostility demanded a reaction, and there was.
That incident sparked something larger. The conversation spread, reaching icons like Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, national media, and countless fans online. Together, people began asking: What does it mean to be a responsible fan? Are there boundaries of fandom? If so, where do they lie? How do we ensure women’s sports are met with the care and respect they deserve?
Ten days later, at the Sparks’ first home game back in Los Angeles, we rallied fellow fans in a show of solidarity wearing custom MOTHER tees Kristen, our founder, designed as a visible courtside statement. It was a small act, but the message was clear: players who stand up for their own rights as women and mothers deserve unwavering support, especially in a women’s league. The gesture was warmly received by Dearica, her teammates, and staff, and we knew our voices had been heard.
“ That moment of solidarity revealed a truth: symbolic gestures matter, but fans need more. We need structures to organize our passion into power. To defend players in moments of discrimination, and to stand with them in critical fights like the 2025 CBA.” — Kristen
From that small local gesture, we realized we had the tools, experience, network, and conviction to grow fan solidarity into systemic change in women’s sports. As brand strategy directors — who first met as teaching assistants for the Semiotics of Branded Social Movements course at the renowned School of Visual Arts Master’s in Branding program, our alma mater — and with more than 35 years of combined experience across corporate brand development, nonprofits, and startups, the path forward was clear.
We believe women’s sports are the best sports in the world. With the best fans.
Fans Rise Up was created to shape a future where fandom itself becomes a force for equity, accountability, and care.
United as a Community.
Rising as a Collective Force for Good.