Candace Parker Promoted to Adidas' President of Women's Basketball After Announcing Her Retirement from the WNBA

Candace Parker. Photo/Instagram

Shortly after announcing her retirement from the WNBA, Adidas promoted Candace Parker to the President of Women's Basketball! Candace's journey to the top is nothing short of inspiring. She was the first overall draft pick in the 2008 WNBA, and her career took her from the Los Angeles Sparks to the Chicago Sky and finally to the Las Vegas Aces. The 6'4" star's determination and skill led her to win WNBA championships with each team. 

In 2010, Parker became the first woman to have a basketball shoe with Adidas. According to ESPN, Candace told Adidas that she wanted to have a new meaningful role with the company, "I said to [Adidas], 'I don't want to be a mascot,'" Parker told Fast Company in an interview. "I really want to be in the meetings, and I want to be a part of making decisions."

It appears that Adidas was happy to oblige with the WNBA legend's request, "In her new role as President, Parker will collaborate with the brand to create a powerful platform aimed at influencing and elevating the future of women's sports," Adidas basketball's global GM Eric Wise said in a statement. He continued, "The WNBA legend will leverage her deep understanding of the game and the needs of female athletes to define a clear and impactful direction, with a focus on access, increased representation, and breaking down barriers on a global scale."

Candace recently announced another partnership with Kim Kardashian, Emma Grede, and Jens Grede's undergarment brand, SKIMS. Last year, she partnered with Gatorade and Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation, [Sports Matter], to give away $100,000 to help lower the cost of sports programming and to promote equity for youth athletes who live in low-income communities. Per Parker's request, this partnership also sent the Las Vegas Arbor View High School girls' basketball team to the 2023 WNBA finals.

Parker is one of the most decorated WNBA players. The St. Louis native was a two-time MVP, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and a three-time WNBA champion.

Congrats, Candace!

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