Things may seem different for New York Liberty fans. New uniforms, a new home arena, and new faces will bring a fresh start for the New York Liberty in 2021; as they hope to improve from an underwhelming 2-20 season in 2020.
New Jerseys
We put on for our city. #OwntheCrown🗽👑@Nike @HSpecialSurgery #NikeWomen pic.twitter.com/35YX4G2sab
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) April 8, 2021
On April 8, 2021, the WNBA released the new jerseys for their 25th season. The jerseys for the New York Liberty (Twitter video above) are symbolic of a fresh start for the Liberty. Feminist writer Frances Wright has said, “Equality is the soul of liberty; there is, in fact, no liberty without it.” Putting the word “Equality” on the new Rebel jersey (center) is a perfect representation of what Liberty stands for. The Liberty and the WNBA have publicly fought against racial injustice and gender inequality. The eight letters on this jersey are a reminder that there is a lot to fight for both on and off the court.
New Arena
The Liberty announced that they were leaving Westchester County Center for the Barclays Center in late 2019. With the 2020 season taking place in the Wubble in Bradenton, Florida; this will be the Liberty’s first season in the new arena. The new arena has a couple of benefits including more seating (roughly 3,000 more seats just in the lower section) and access to the Nets training facility.
Roster Changes
Besides the aesthetic and location changes associated with the Liberty; there will also be some new faces in the locker room. The team lost two key players in Amanda Zahui B. and Kia Nurse. Although these losses will not go unnoticed, the Liberty has traded for Sami Whitcomb and Natasha Howard. Whitcomb and Howard have amassed three championships between the two of them. Howard has also accumulated several individual awards including 2019 Defensive Player of the Year and 2018 Most Improved Player.
2020 Most Improved Player, Betnijah Laney, has also signed as a free agent with the Liberty. The Liberty also have four draft picks in the draft on April 15th, including the sixth overall pick. All of the new faces in the locker room will provide a different look for the Liberty this upcoming season.
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