A’ja Wilson, WNBA star with Aces, announces Nike shoe deal

The popularity of Air Jordans coincided with the rise of hip-hop artists in the 1980s, who were known for both their music and their clothing. With a deep bench of classic sneakers and its broad newer offerings and collaborations with athletes and designers, Nike was able to expand its reach. By the mid-2000s, competitors took notice, and brands such as Adidas, Puma, and Reebok began working with celebrities such as Kanye West, Big Sean, and Cardi B, ultimately creating a new footwear subculture. The Nike/Michael Jordan contract changed how brands sign athletes and other celebrities to marketing deals, as well as how brands market themselves. The National Basketball Association (NBA) banned Jordan’s shoes, and issued a $5,000 fine each time he wore them. Nike is known for its celebrity endorsement deals with top athletes, including Tiger Woods, LeBron James, and Serena Williams.

If you’re looking for an app to track upcoming releases beyond Nike’s official channels, our guide to the best sneaker apps recommends Eastbay (iOS, Android), with honorable mentions to Unlaced (iOS) and resale app GOAT (iOS, Android). And if you’re looking for news about new Nikes, look no further than Highsnobiety (and Nike.com). Even though Nike is a publicly traded company, the swoosh logo brand is owned by its original co-founder Phil Knight and his son Travis Knight who own 97% of outstanding shares and the holding companies. Recognized globally for its iconic Swoosh logo and “Just Do It” slogan, the brand’s groundbreaking influence extends beyond athletics and into the realms of fashion and lifestyle. Just hours before the NFL Draft, the Jordan Brand announced that quarterback Bryce Young had agreed to terms of a multi-year footwear and apparel deal. Kevin Durant has joined Michael Jordan and LeBron James as the only athletes to sign lifetime contracts with Nike after Durant’s deal was announced Friday.

Collaborations with athletes and designers have yielded iconic silhouettes like the Air Max 1, Air Jordan line, and collaborations with Virgil Abloh’s Off-White. Beyond footwear, Nike’s influence extends into streetwear and fashion, solidifying their status as the number one sportswear brand. Nike signs a five-year licensing deal with the NFL worth $200 million, although it doesn’t produce uniforms for all teams due to individual licensing agreements.

Still, older, less popular models and shoes produced in too-large batches will find their way to clearance to make way for new releases. The company paid the fines on Jordan’s behalf and created ad campaigns around the ban, saying, “The NBA can’t stop you from wearing them.” Within the first two months of the shoe’s release, Nike sold $70 million worth of Air Jordans. By the end of 1985, the firm reported revenue in excess of $100 million. Twenty-five years ago, Nike released Staley’s first signature shoe, the Air Zoom S5, ahead of her debut season in the WNBA after she had played three years in the American Basketball League. After first signing with Nike in 1995, Staley played four full pro seasons before Nike released her first signature shoe in January 1999. Nike has named Wilson to the brand’s roster of signature athletes — a group featuring Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe, Naomi Osaka and the New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu.

The most recent additions to their line are the Nike 6.0, Nike NYX, and Nike SB shoes, designed for skateboarding. Nike has recently introduced cricket shoes called Air Zoom Yorker, designed to be 30% lighter than their competitors’.[68] In 2008, Nike introduced the Air Jordan XX3, a high-performance basketball shoe designed with the environment in mind. Nike is a brand that needs no introduction – it’s the leading sportswear brand in the world and for good reason. Nike is revered for its hyped footwear drops, boundary-pushing performance sneakers, fashionable apparel, and assortment of practical accessories. On our Nike page, you’ll find all of those products in men’s, women’s, and kids’ sizes, and in every color imaginable.So, what products can you expect to find on this collection page?

They stated that the people who designed it were skateboarders and Minor Threat fans themselves who created the advertisement out of respect and appreciation for the band.[200] The dispute was eventually settled out of court between Nike and Minor Threat. “I understand this weight is heavy, but it’s happy weight,” Wilson said. “So, I’m like, ‘We’re going to move this needle.’ So, the next young Black girl doesn’t just have to wear my shoes or my collection. The women of ’96 gave young girls like me a dream to be like, ‘No, this is real. I can obtain it.’ It’s spiritual, it’s powerful to me and something I don’t take lightly at all. Yet Wilson and Staley, who form one of the most beloved mentor-pupil relationships in women’s basketball, each spoke calmly and candidly about the potential of a signature shoe for the reigning WNBA Finals MVP.

The shoe and rest of Wilson’s signature collection will arrive in 2025. The signature collection will include pieces in women’s, men’s and kid’s sizing. The collection will be released globally on nike.com and SNKRS, and at select retailers in 2025. Founded back in 2002, Sneaker Freaker is the first and only international footwear magazine.

Also in 1991, Nike releases Hatfield’s Air Huarache running shoe, following it up a year later with the Air Flight Huarache basketball shoe. After Stanford, he sets off on a round-the-world trip and in Kobe, Japan strikes an agreement to distribute the Tiger-branded running shoes of Onitsuka Company (later ASICS) in the US, introducing them to former coach Bowerman upon his return. By now, the logo is worth billions of dollars – one of the most recognizable brand logos worldwide. Caroline Davidson designed the iconic Nike swoosh in 1971; the graphic design student was paid a mere $35 for her work.

Its “swoosh” logo—which became one of the world’s most recognized brand logos—was also introduced that year. Carolyn David, a Portland State University design student, charged $35 for the logo, although Knight eventually gave her 500 shares of stock in 1983. However, due to harsh criticism from some organizations like CorpWatch, Nike has disclosed information about its contract factories in its Corporate Governance Report. Nike wanted the South Carolina coach to be the first person to share the news that Wilson has awaited since first signing with the brand as a rookie in 2018.

From the timeless Air Force 1s, and the dynamic Air Max range to the revolutionary Flyknit series, Nike offers a multitude of styles to elevate your sneaker game. Immerse yourself in the culture of cool, make a statement, and let your shoes do the talking with Nike. Nike has a diverse product lineup, from shoes to apparel to health products, and it has managed to maintain its “coolness” since it first signed Michael Jordan to promote its shoes. The brand has retained this status throughout the decades by positioning itself—and acting as a connection—between the top athletes in the world and everyday consumers. An original pair of Air Jordans sold for $1.8 million in 2023, while eight pairs of late fashion designer Virgil Abloh’s 2020 limited edition Nike Dunk Low basketball sneakers sold for more than $565,000 in 2023.

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