Napheesa Collier Signs With Jordan Brand After ‘Meaningful' MJ Pitch
The Minnesota Lynx star has signed a multiyear deal with Nike subsidiary Jordan Brand—the apparel company inspired by NBA legend Michael Jordan. Collier, a four-time WNBA All-Star, had been with Nike for the last five years, regularly playing in player-exclusive Nike Kobes and KDs.
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But it was time for a change, she said, citing the investment Jordan Brand is making into the women's game. Jumpman branding, for example, has appeared on game uniforms for the last two WNBA All-Star Games as part of Nike's partnership with the WNBA.
'Jordan has [its] own identity, [its] own athletes and does things a different way,' Collier said in a video interview. 'There's a big separation.'
In February, the Jumpman himself made an in-person recruiting pitch to Collier while she was in Miami for Unrivaled's inaugural season. Collier said the Hall-of-Famer highlighted UConn and Lynx legend Maya Moore, the first woman basketball player to sign with the company, and the apparel giant's potential to elevate her personal brand.
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Jordan made a point to say that his company would continue to support her regardless of her sneaker decision. It was a conversation she described as far more about the brand's ethos than money or merchandise allotment.
'It's his brand but he doesn't need to be on the ground doing these things,' she said. 'So, for him to come to the meeting and do that was really meaningful. It was awesome.'
The Jordan Brand business has become a top performer for Nike, surpassing $7 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2024.
Collier is switching to Jordan Brand as women's basketball is experiencing unprecedented growth in viewership and cultural influence. The 28-year-old has put together a decorated career since being drafted in 2019, leading the Lynx to the WNBA Finals last season. But the WNBPA executive committee vice president and co-founder of new 3-on-3 league Unrivaled has also been one of the league's most important voices off the court as a catalyst pushing for increased player wages amid collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
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Collier, who officially signed with Jordan Brand last month, spoke with Jordan again after turning down the other shoe brands that had expressed interest during her sneaker free-agency period.
Collier said she's happy to finally be on the same team as Moore, who officially retired in 2023. The Missouri native joins the Jordan Brand women's roster of 12 WNBA players that includes Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard and Las Vegas Aces guard Dana Evans. Collier's move coincides with Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally leaving Jordan Brand for Adidas.
'This is a partnership that I want to have for the rest of my career,' Collier said.
Stars across the WNBA are dropping signature shoes; this month, Aces star A'Ja Wilson released her own sneaker, the A'One, which sold out in minutes. The three-time MVP is the 13th WNBA player to have a signature shoe.
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When asked if Collier could be the next, she hinted that she and Jordan Brand may have something in the works. 'You'll have to stay tuned,' she said.
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