Gift Guide: Gifts for Sports Lovers
Sports gear and accessories are often the most gendered items around, which is ridiculous because showing love for a team has nothing to do with whether your gender. It can be especially easy for gifts for sports lovers to fall into heavily stereotyped territory when the fan is a woman or femme. Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with sporting pink team gear, sequined shirts, or “Bleacher Babe” tanks if that’s your thing. But for people who are looking to buy a gift for a sports lover and want to avoid reinforcing tired tropes about women and femme sports fans, here are some ideas.
1/16The Eephus League Official Scorebook, $18, eephusleague.com
Whether the recipient is an expert scorekeeper or is learning the craft for the very first time, this 20-game scorebook is the perfect gift. It’s sleek and clean, and includes a reference card with quick abbreviations and scorekeeping tricks.
2/16On Sundays We Watch Football Sweatshirt, Live Love Gameday, $36, livelovegameday.com
This red sweatshirt with gold lettering makes your priorities clear: Sundays are for football games. Sizes S-XL.
3/16Boston Bruins Ballet Flats, Ms. Marymac, $80, msmarymac.com
Wear your team allegiance on your feet with these custom flats. You can also choose your favorite university, and shoes come in wedge and heel options, too.
4/16Negro League Baseball Museum National League Hat, $19.99, teambrownapparel.com
Commemorate the Negro Leagues with this hat, or grab the one from your favorite team, like the Baltimore Black Sox or the Kansas City Monarchs.
5/16"If it Involves Hockey and Coffee, Count Me In" Mug, $19.99, etsy.com
Hockey fans can start their morning off right with this mug that reminds them what their interests are — they like the simple things in life.
6/16Caucasians T-Shirt, $22, shelflifeclothing.com
If your friend hates the Cleveland baseball team’s mascot as much as they should, this shirt will help show other people why they should hate it, too.
7/16Basketball Dunking Phone Case, $16.99-$18.99, etsy.com
This wooden phone case that can be customized for almost any device comes in cherry, maple, or black and features the most beloved of hoops moves — the slam dunk.
8/16Rowengartner Backpack, Baseballism, $115, basballism.com
This bag, made from glove leather and canvas, is roomy and perfect for going to class or to the ballpark. It even has a clip on the side for carrying a glove.
9/16Under the Lights and In the Dark: Untold Stories of Women’s Soccer by Gwendolyn Oxenham, $16.95, amazon.com
This book goes inside the world of women’s soccer around the globe, examining the hardships and triumphs, and what the athletes endure just to play the game they love.
10/16NWHL To-Go Mug, $27.95, theloyalist.com
Choose from one of the four founding National Women’s Hockey League teams, the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Metropolitan Riveters, or Connecticut Whale. And while you’re at it, throw in tickets (approximately $20 per ticket) to one of their games if you’re in the area. The season runs through March 2018, and it’s a great way to watch some great hockey and support a new women’s professional sports league.
StyleShoots11/16NCAA Sweater, $89.99, fanatics.com
These vintage-style sweaters are warm but will make you look cool. You can choose from the 500+ NCAA teams, or an NFL team, if your friend prefers.
12/16“I’m With Kap” Shirt, $35.00, imwithkap.com
Get one of Black Ivy Brand’s iconic shirts and show support for Colin Kaepernick, who should totally be signed by an NFL team.
13/16Game Changers: The Unsung Heroines of Sports History by Molly Schiot, $13.74, amazon.com
This new book pays tribute to all the women athletes who have been overlooked or forgotten.
14/16Minnesota Lynx Hoodie, $54.99, wnbastore.nba.com
The Minnesota Lynx are something of a WNBA dynasty and are reigning champs, so buy your friend a sweatshirt. You might even consider grabbing a WNBA League Pass ($3.99) so they can watch every game next season, since most of them aren’t nationally televised.
Getty Images15/16Tickets To See Their Favorite Team, Varies
This one is specific to whoever you’re shopping for! Nothing beats tickets to a game to watch their favorite team play.
