A’ja Wilson’s former team, the South Carolina Gamecocks, has signed a new deal with Nike worth $80 million over 10 years, as it marks the end of the school’s long-term affiliation with the Under Armour brand, which began in 2007. The deal with Nike will officially kick off on July 1, 2026.
The new deal would mean that head coach Dawn Staley’s teammates will get to wear the Swoosh label and not just any shoes, the ones designed under Wilson’s signature shoe line. On Sunday, Wilson was asked about the new signing after the Las Vegas Aces’ 91-81 victory.
Wilson said that she was initially jealous that the current crop of South Carolina teammates would get to wear the Swoosh, but once she learned that it would be her own sneakers from the A1 or probably A2 signature shoe line, it was a “full-circle” moment for her.
“Yeah, it’s a full-circle moment,” Wilson said. “I mean, when the AD called me and told me that this was happening, I was like, oh my gosh. I wasn’t even bitter about the NIL deal – I was bitter about them getting to wear the swoosh. But no, once he said that they’ll start getting the A1 collection with the A2 by that time, my heart just had no choice but to smile because it truly is a full-circle moment.”
“Obviously, Coach Staley texted me with just the swoosh because it’s truly special,” Wilson added. “So I’m excited. What we’ve got cooking is going to be huge. Like I said, I’m jealous because I know the uniforms and shoes are going to look fire—but just to have a hand in that means so much.”
Asked @_ajawilson22 about the new Nike x University of South Carolina partnership. She said Dawn Staley sent her the Nike swoosh signaling the deal.
“I don’t think people truly understand how much I try to be hands on.”HC Becky Hammon joked asking for hoodies over crop tops. pic.twitter.com/3hFkiRoutt
— Jade (@JadeALawson) August 24, 2025
Also Read: Dawn Staley Shares Special Message For A’ja Wilson as Collab With Nike Reaches New Heights
A’ja Wilson proud that it will be her Nike signature shoes South Carolina will wear
A’ja Wilson will finally get to see her legacy embodied on the same court that celebrated her college career. During the same conference, Wilson said she feels honored about the same.
“I’m so honored and blessed to be able to have our squad and other teams at South Carolina rep the A1, but also the swoosh as well,” Wilson said. “It’s been a long time coming, but I’m just grateful for that partnership.
“I don’t think people truly understand how much I really try to be hands-on with anything that comes from the A collection, because it’s my collection. Yes, but I want everyone to love it. So I can’t wait to do a deep dive into what we can cook up for the Gamecocks and how they are swooshed.”
Nike’s partnership with South Carolina could even re-establish ties with Dawn Staley, who once had her own signature shoe, the Zoom S5, back in 1998.
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