In a move signaling a new era for Adidas Women’s Basketball, the iconic sportswear brand appointed WNBA legend Candace Parker as its president. Parker, known for her remarkable career spanning 16 seasons, brings a wealth of experience and a profound understanding of the game to her new role.
The announcement Wednesday comes hot on the heels of Parker’s retirement from professional basketball, leaving behind a legacy marked by two MVP awards, championships at every level and two Olympic gold medals. Throughout her legendary career, Parker has been synonymous with Adidas, forging one of the longest-running brand partnerships in the sport.
Parker's journey with Adidas dates back to her high school days in Naperville, Illinois, where she first donned the brand's gear while competing for her AAU team. The early connection laid the foundation for a relationship that would endure through her college years at the University of Tennessee and into her professional career with the Los Angeles Sparks and later, the Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces.
“I don’t know whether it was fate, but I went to an Adidas college at Tennessee, and then when I came out of college it was just natural to sign with Adidas just because I’d been with them,” Parker said, per Brandon Richard of Andscape. “It had become more like a family. I knew everybody within the company. They wanted to grow with me and have that type of partnership.”
In her new role as president of Adidas Women’s Basketball, Parker will collaborate closely with the brand to develop innovative strategies aimed at empowering female athletes. Her responsibilities will include overseeing the Adidas Women’s Basketball product line and spearheading the continued growth of the brand's roster of women athletes, which includes stars like Aliyah Boston, Erica Wheeler, Sophie Cunningham and Kahleah Copper.
Partnership a ‘dream' for Candace Parker
For Parker, this appointment is the realization of a dream she had harbored for years.
“I’ve been actually unofficially with Adidas since 2003, which is when my high school team got sponsored by Adidas,” she said in a past interview. Now, as she transitions from the court to the boardroom, Parker is prepared to make a lasting impact on the sport she loves.
Throughout her career, Parker has not only excelled on the court but also off it, leveraging her platform to advocate for gender equality and female empowerment in sports. Her influence extends beyond the hardwood, serving as an inspiration to young girls everywhere who aspire to follow in her footsteps.
“The successful future of the WNBA is defined by talented, team-oriented young players like Candace Parker,” said Jim Gatto, former head of global sports marketing for Adidas. “Candace has shown throughout her basketball career that she can and will do whatever her team needs to win.”
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