In the past three years, Breanna Stewart, Ionescu, and Wilson have all released signature shoes, with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese signatures in the works. Signature shoes are ready for their share of the Indianapolis spotlight at All-Star weekend. Bright orange All-Star editions of Sabrina Ionescu’s and A’ja Wilson’s newest sneakers dropped into their eager fans’ hands Friday, joining the now legions of WNBA signature shoes on courts across the league. It’s the latest installation in a busy boom for WNBA signature sneakers.
Key Factors
StockX, a prominent force in the sneaker resale ecosystem, has been feeling the surge within sneakerhead culture. Brendan Dunne, senior director of customer community and engagement at StockX, called it “an explosion of interest. But don’t mistake it as a new phenomenon. Call it a comeback. New York Liberty stars All-Stars Stewart and Ionescu were the first two active WNBA players to sign their new deals, with Puma and Nike, respectively, to end the drought and usher in this new era. “They really can change the landscape of the sport. “To see everybody in the community wear it, it warms my heart and it never gets old. I’m like, you really took the time to support me.
Sales of WNBA signature sneakers on their site jumped 938% from 2023 to 2024, and they are on pace to see year-over-year sales of them increase by double digits again this year. From 1995 to 2010, nine WNBA signature sneakers hit the shelves, led by original stars Sheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie. In the next 12 years, there was only one, from Elena Delle Donne.
“When I was able to get mine, I understood the gravity of knowing it’s going to be a successful business, and showing the world that women deserve to be at the table talking about the signature shoe business,” Ionescu said. “It’s been a dream come true,” the WNBA MVP said. “(The WNBA) is big, but it needs to become bigger,” he said.
