SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Sheryl Swoopes, the WNBA basketball legend, celebrated honoring the WNBA champion and the face that runs the place known as the league in A’ja Wilson, the newest member of the elite club of players with a Nike signature shoe line. Swoopes, a pioneer in her own right as the first woman to have a signature shoe, expressed her excitement about this step for Wilson and what it means for women’s sports in general.
“The main thing I want everyone hear me right now hear me say, it’s about f*ing time. Yeah. Yeah. You can bleep that if you want, but it is,” Swoopes said passionately. Many feel her passion and fully understand her pride in being part of the Nike family for 30+ years. We will continue to follow her lead as we work to grow our investment in the women’s game and our support of women’s athletes.
She reflected on her own journey; Swoopes recalled what it meant to be the first female athlete to have a signature shoe while being a member of the WNBA four-time champion Houston Comets.
“Nike didn’t even have a women’s sports marketing target [when I got mine in 1997]. And look where we are today,” she said, highlighting how historic it was to witness a new generation of players like A’ja Wilson take the stage.
Swoopes said she was brought to tears by the occasion, which she called a sign of progress for Black women and all young girls who find themselves dreaming. “This moment is so much bigger than the two of us,” she explained. “For every little girl out there who dares to dream.“
A’ja Wilson, a player whose honors define greatness—two WNBA titles, two Olympic gold medals, an NCAA championship, and three WNBA MVPs—has now the distinction of being a Nike signature athlete. Over the past two years, Wilson has worked extensively with Nike to design and develop her new A’One signature shoe and fashion collection, a deeply personal and meaningful project. The collection embodies her style and community and shows her power on and off the court.
Swoopes lauded Wilson’s skill and drive. Swoopes, acknowledging Wilson’s influence and success, told the WNBA star: “This woman standing next to me, I got mad, crazy love and respect for who you are.“
As the world still works towards equality in sports, moments like these are only a lingering reminder of how far we have come and what we can achieve going forward. “Toasting to A’ja [Wilson] is more than just her win; it’s a toast to all of women’s sports, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going.“
“I’m going to keep going,” a sentiment felt even more by all those who persevere to pave the way and advocate for women’s athletics. With each passing of the torch to phenomenal athletes such as A’ja Wilson, the legacy and impact of those who paved the way still shine brightly, inspiring the next generation of dreamers and doers.
Wilson’s new shoe debuts on May 8 and will be in a signature pink color, with more colorways of the design to follow soon.
