JK Rowling is currently embroiled in a massive legal battle after bullying an Olympic boxer on social media by claiming she was transgender. You’d think LGBTQ+ athletes should stay away from them, but instead, queer WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart has decided to release a Harry Potter-themed sneaker, leaving us baffled.
Stewart, a player for the New York Liberty who helped the U.S. team bring home gold at the Paris Olympics, just released a teaser commercial for the new version of her iconic Puma sneaker, the Stewie 1, coming in September, and this time the shoes will be covered in Harry Potter motifs.
Being associated with Harry Potter author and well-known anti-transgender activist JK Rowling is not a good image, especially if you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Although this collaboration was likely in the works long before Rowling made headlines for being investigated in connection with a harassment lawsuit after she spread the rumor that cisgender boxer Imane Khelif was born a man, Rowling’s transphobic views have been known to everyone for years now.
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The new Stewie 3 Harry Potter The sneakers feature a charcoal gray base and teal accents with wizarding elements like wands, skulls and snakes coiled around them. The shoes will launch on September 6 and will retail for $130 on Puma’s website and select retailers. Hype beast reports.
Fans of the 29-year-old basketball star flooded the comment sections of all social media posts announcing the upcoming release of the sneakers, with many criticizing the queer player for collaborating with a well-known TERF.
One person commented on Instagram: “Stewie is one of my idols – I think as a transgender person I have the right to question why one of my idols is working with a media empire that funds violence against trans people, right?”
Another person wrote: “It’s one thing to still feel affection for HP, but quite another to directly financially support a transphobe and that’s what’s going to happen here. Truly unfortunate.”
Fans of X were largely of the same opinion about Stewart’s collaboration lining Rowling’s pockets. “In 2024??? When JK gets sued for harassment?? THAT’S NOT SO,” one person commented on Puma’s announcement post.
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Stewart could not immediately be reached for comment.
