Equity across men’s and women’s teams a priority for Jumpman Invitational

CHARLOTTE — From the first conversation in 2019, the leading minds behind the inaugural Jumpman Invitational said it’s always been their goal to ensure the men’s and women’s programs enjoyed an equitable experience.

The tournament features the four original universities under the Jordan Brand, all of whom play on the same court inside the Spectrum Center. All teams received the same amenities, while the nightly lineup features both a men’s and women’s game.

“From day one, this was all about having an elevated experience but an equal experience,” said Charlotte Sports Foundation spokesman Miller Yoho. “We wanted both the men’s and women’s teams to feel the love of being part of the Jordan Brand and have the exact same experience.”

Courtney Banghart, the head women’s basketball coach at the University of North Carolina, said their intention is evident in the tournament details.

“The signage, the location of the film rooms, the location of the meals, everything,” she said.

“To find a way to showcase these Jordan Brand schools in an equitable way, has been, it’s been remarkable,” she said. “It shows the growth.”

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Tournament organizers have been planning the invitational for more than two years, though in 2021 there was national outcry, when student-athletes posted videos to social media, highlighting the disparity between the weight rooms during March Madness.

The NCAA later apologized.

Deja Kelly is a junior point guard at the University of North Carolina. She weighed in with her experience.

“North Carolina is known as the men’s basketball school, but I think just with our success as well, and all the women’s sports at UNC, with us really showing the world what we are capable of doing, we are just as capable of winning national championships, of being as great as the men are,” Kelly said.

“Being able to see that equality on both sides, being able to see the women get treated the same way as the men, I think that’s encouraging,” she added.

(WATCH BELOW: Warm-up gear at Jumpman Invitational designed by students)