A’ja Wilson’s New Shoe Deal Reflects Nike’s Commitment to the WNBA’s Growth

WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson has had one of the most memorable years of her career. Her latest achievement makes history once again as the Las Vegas Aces Forward reportedly signed a lucrative 6-year contract extension with Nike in what appears to be the richest deals for women’s basketball. Details have not been revealed as of yet however this comes in weeks after Sophomore phenom, Juju Watkins, announced her multi-year contract was also one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball, according to ESPN

In 2024 alone, Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson etched her name in WNBA history by becoming the league's first player to score over 1,000 points in a single season, a testament to her scoring prowess and consistency. Her extraordinary performance earned her the honor of being the second unanimous MVP in WNBA history, joining an elite group of players who have left a permanent mark on the sport. Wilson's 2024 accolades are a continuation of her storied career, which includes being named WNBA MVP three times (2020, 2022, 2024).

In addition to her scoring achievements, she set the WNBA single-season rebound record in 2024, showcasing her dominance on the glass. Wilson's excellence extends beyond the WNBA as she secured two Olympic gold medals (2020, 2024) and was named the FIBA Women's Olympic tournament MVP in 2024. Her outstanding play also earned her a spot on the FIBA Women's Olympics All-Star Five in both 2020 and 2024. With each accolade, Wilson continues to raise the bar for future generations, solidifying her status as one of the greatest players in women's basketball history.

With only a handful of brands that offer shoe deals, Wilson  become the 13th WNBA athlete to have her own shoe line along side Breanna Stewart with Puma, and Sabrina Ionescu. Other athletes have successfully created their own footwear line backed by major brands such as, Jordan Brand, Adidas, Under Armour, New Balance, Puma, Anta, and Li-Ning.