Candace Parker Named President of adidas Women’s Basketball

PORTLAND, OREGON (May 8, 2024) – Adidas named women’s basketball legend Candace Parker the President of adidas Women’s Basketball following her retirement after 16 years in the WNBA with the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces. The appointment is effective immediately for Parker, who won one championship with each team.

“Stepping into this new leadership role is a deeply personal next step in my journey with adidas,” Parker said. “From high school to college to playing pro to now, this appointment by adidas symbolizes a shared commitment to making impactful change and setting new benchmarks for the future of women’s sports. It’s not just about products; it’s about fostering a movement focused on innovation, representation, and access.”

In her new role as President of adidas Women’s Basketball, Parker will collaborate with the brand to create a powerful platform aimed at influencing and elevating the future of women’s sports. 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. With adidas’ full support, Parker will drive innovative strategies and empowering initiatives to push the game further while inspiring the next generation of hoopers to dream bigger and reach higher under her guidance.

“We are honored to be a part of Candace’s historic legacy as she transitions from signature athlete to this new leadership role within adidas Basketball,” said Eric Wise, Global GM at adidas Basketball. “As a true innovator with a profound passion for the game, we are confident that she is a perfect fit to evolve the adidas Women’s Basketball business and catalyze a new era of growth and credibility for the brand.”

Parker is set to play a pivotal role in building upon the brand’s storied women’s roster — which boasts stars like Aliyah Boston, Hailey Van Lith, Kahleah Copper, Aaliyah Edwards, Chelsea Gray, Betnijah Laney, Alysha Clark, Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler. Parker will also be overseeing adidas Women’s Basketball products lines.

This role underscores the brand’s commitment to amplifying women in Basketball and its recognition of Parker’s enduring impact as a driver of change and advocate for the sport. A visionary both on and off the court, Parker once again shatters the glass ceiling as she heralds a new era of inclusive and transformative leadership in the sports industry.

Parker was the No. 1 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft and was a two-time league MVP and seven-time all-star. She also won two Olympic Gold Medals, was a two-time NCAA champion at the University of Tennessee and a McDonald’s All-American at Naperville Central High School in Chicago’s western suburbs.