During the WNBA offseason, many stars sought to give back to society through events, public appearances, and foundations. Angel Reese Foundation was the largest donor to the 53 Families Foundation Holiday Toy Drive, and many other players also organized porting events to raise awareness and support young athletes. Arike Ogunbowale is also involved in a similar drive, while her reach is a bit larger.
The WNBA had been active via players’ initiatives and drives to connect with society and help the needy. The Wings star chose a different way to contribute to a similar cause.
Arike Ogunbowale Teams Up With El Pollo Loco
WNBA star launched the “Bring the Fire” contest via the El Pollo Loco Foundation. The aim of the contest is to support school sports teams nationwide. According to the updates, five teams will each receive $2,000 in new equipment.
“School sports are such a powerful source of confidence and community for young athletes, but not every school has the resources to replace equipment or maintain facilities — and that shouldn’t be a barrier to participation or success,” said Arike Ogunbowale. “I’m proud to partner with El Pollo Loco and the El Pollo Loco Foundation to help remove those barriers so student athletes can focus on having fun, building confidence, teamwork, and a love for the game.”
our roster is growing…Arike Ogunbowale collab coming soon 👀 pic.twitter.com/zdC4Y31K30
— El Pollo Loco (@ElPolloLoco) July 15, 2025
Finding and nurturing young talent plays a vital role in the growth of the sport and the league. The contest runs through February 19, and the results will be out by mid‑March 2026 on El Pollo Loco’s Instagram.
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Earlier in the offseason, the veteran guard coached a Nigerian team in the Battle of Jollof. Her wild sidelines freestyle celebration went viral, with everyone praising it as part of the culture.
While the player has taken a great initiative, on the professional front, she might not have a smooth sailing free agency.
Arike Ogunbowale’s Future With Franchise Is Unclear
The Dallas Wings hold the first overall pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, and that could be a major concern for the Wings’ most experienced star. As per reports, the Wings are certain to pair their 2025 rookie with her former teammate, Azzi Fudd, and might cut loose Ogunbowale for the same.
Luckily, her experience and gameplay would pique the interest of many top sides in the league, including the expansion teams, who will seek a leader in their inaugural season.