Lynx and Bon Iver Launch Unique Partnership for Gender Equity

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx and Bon Iver announced a groundbreaking partnership today focused on gender equity and community impact.

This collaboration marks the first time a professional women’s sports team has joined forces with a multi-Grammy award-winning artist to work toward meaningful change.

Beginning with the 2025 Lynx season, the partnership aims to address gender inequities stemming from domestic and sexual violence, sex trafficking, health care disparities, and barriers in education and leadership.

“Basketball is exactly like music. It’s a group and individual improvising to create moments of vision, excitement, and joy. The Minnesota Lynx team is my favorite band in the world right now,” said Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. “We saw an unprecedented opportunity to support these incredible women on the court and in the community.”

Lynx President of Business Operations Carley Knox expressed enthusiasm for the innovative collaboration, stating, “We are incredibly excited about this partnership, centered around community impact and the cultural connection of sports and music.”

Vernon, a passionate advocate for gender equity, co-created Bon Iver’s 2 A Billion campaign, which aims to raise awareness and support to combat gender inequity and domestic violence. With connections to both Minnesota and Wisconsin, Vernon is a long-time Lynx fan.

Key highlights of the partnership include a total grant of $250,000 to local nonprofits working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse through Bon Iver’s 2 A Billion campaign.

The partnership will also feature season-long activations such as unique content features, player integration with the nonprofits, community outreach, basketball clinics, and the annual Lynx Changemakers Summit in August 2025.

The Lynx Changemakers platform encourages local businesses to invest in women’s sports while showcasing support for gender equity and women’s leadership through sports.

Bon Iver is an art project based in Wisconsin, and 2 A Billion is its campaign focused on ending gender inequity, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.