The Chicago White Sox tapped NAACP award-winning comedian Tee Sanders to design the “Freedom Day Hat” for Pride Night at Guaranteed Rate Field against the Atlanta Braves. The limited-edition hat sold out days before Wednesday’s game, with 700 purchased, and bu
On Wednesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field, the White Sox Pride Night energy looked a little different—starting with a hat that had already sold out before most fans even had a chance to try to get one.
The team turned to NAACP award-winning comedian and Chicago native Tee Sanders to design the “Freedom Day Hat” for fans showing up for the game against the Atlanta Braves. The design is built around what Sanders described as her two identities: “I always wanted the hat to represent me,” she said.
Behind the Sox logo. the crossed bats are meant to signal resilience and a refusal to back down. drawing on the South Side fighting spirit the White Sox say they’re known for. Under the brim, the Chicago skyline appears painted in the Pride flag’s colors. Along the side is an “I’m from Da Crib” patch featuring a Black power fist. and the “Freedom Day” patch ties 1969 and 2015 together as a tribute to the generations who fought to live openly—from the Stonewall riots to the fight for marriage equality.
Sanders said she also wanted the hat to stand apart from previous Pride Month collections while elevating two historic moments that land in June.
“I wanted to combine Juneteenth because June is the same month as Pride. But they already had hats specifically for Juneteenth,” Sanders said. “But I’mma find a way to sneak that in. So, I added the Black Power fist. I was like, ‘Okay, we here wit it.’”
The work was a collaboration. Sanders teamed up with Nick Benitez, a New York-based e-commerce marketer and designer. Benitez. who said he has worked with sportwear company New Era. approached Sanders with an idea he thought she could pitch. “I came up with the idea for the patches. like the Sox logo with the two bats. like everything. ” Benitez said. “The iconography about it basically represents her in a really dope way.”.
The hat’s limited run made the night feel like a moment you had to be there for. The limited edition hat sold out days before the game, with 700 purchased. Those buyers got the chance to attend a private meet-and-greet with Tee Sanders.
For new couple Cheryl Wilson and Anna Garcia, the hat was more than a fashion accessory—it was proof that the team’s Pride Night wasn’t just about showing up in public, but about being seen.
Garcia said Sanders represents them in more ways than one. “First of all, the visibility that she gives us, right?. We’re already die-hard Sox fans, right?. To find out that Tee’s coming here, she’s designing the hat, and it’s everything Chicago,” Garcia said. “Not only do you feel seen as a Chicagoan, but seen as somebody from the community, the LGBTQ community.”.
Brian and Aubren Kubicki traveled in from South Bend, Indiana, bringing a family mix of fandom and identity. Aubren said she is “a big queer person,” and her father is a “huge White Sox” fan—making the event, in her words, “the perfect combination.”
Aubren said she appreciated how the hat’s imagery carries meaning, and framed it as part of what she sees as an effort from the team to include people beyond the usual outreach.
“The little nod to Stonewall on the side as well is so. so cool. like it’s a stunning hat. ” Kubicki said. “The White Sox. I feel like with everything I’ve seen here tonight. the way that they have brought out people in the community. … I feel like they are actively making an effort. It means a lot. and to be able to come out and see a bunch of other queer people is also just what we need right now.”.
The scene across the ballpark carried the same theme the hat was designed to hold: pride shown publicly, history marked on the brim, and community gathered in the stands—at a time when many fans say visibility can feel harder to come by, not easier.
White Sox Tee Sanders Pride Night Freedom Day Hat Pride Month Guaranteed Rate Field Atlanta Braves NAACP award-winning comedian LGBTQ+ fans Stonewall Juneteenth
Sold out in days?? Guess everyone’s just lining up for hats now.
I don’t even watch the White Sox that much but that hat sounds kinda cool. 700 only though, that’s like nothing lol.
So wait, Pride Night hat for the Braves game, and it already sold out before people got there? That’s on purpose like scalpers, right? Also Juneteenth and Pride being in June isn’t the same thing, but they’re combining it so… ok?
The “I’m from Da Crib” patch and the Black power fist… I mean I get the message, but I swear half the crowd is just there for the free stuff and ended up missing the hat. Like if it’s 700, how are they acting surprised it’s gone already? I heard it was $50 or whatever too so I’m like not everyone can just throw money at a stadium hat.