The 5 Biggest Sneaker Storylines from the 2024 WNBA Draft

Highlighting the sneaker industry's five biggest takeaways from the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Angel Reese could be a major player in sneaker free agency. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Last night's WNBA Draft did not disappoint. Women's basketball continues to rapidly gain more fans from all over the world. The league, already on an upward trajectory, was further energized by a fresh wave of promising talent and emerging stars on Monday night.

As always, sports impact more than teams, players, and cities. They also shape the sneaker industry. Some of the players drafted last night already had existing NIL deals with sneaker brands from their time in college.

While that is not always a guarantee that they will stick with the brand (remember Aaliyah Boston switched from Under Armour to adidas last year), we are going to work under the assumption the rookies stay with their current brands. Below are our five biggest sneaker storylines from the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Nike

Caitlin Clark will remain with Nike in the WNBA. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Fever selected Caitlin Clark with the first overall pick, and they were not the only two parties that benefited. Nike was quick to celebrate the generational talent's transition from college to pros.

Will Clark get a signature sneaker? Yes, but not right away. New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu had to wait until her fourth season before the launch of her first signature sneaker. Clark probably will not have to wait as long, thanks to her talent, Beatles-esque fame, and the heavy lifting of generations of female athletes that came before her.

New Balance

Cameron Brink signed an NIL deal with New Balance. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New Balance Basketball woke out of its slumber to make its first Instagram post in almost three weeks on Monday night. Cameron Brink signed an NIL deal with the brand while playing for the Stanford Cardinal and starred in national ad campaigns alongside NBA stars.

New Balance bet big on Brink, and now she shares the same zip code as Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (the brand's only basketball player with a signature sneaker). Seems pretty ideal.

But let us not forget about Brink's close ties to Stephen Curry's family. What if Brink left New Balance to sign with Under Armour or Curry Brand? It would be disastrous for New Balance and yet another clutch victory for Curry.

adidas

Aaliyah Edwards signed an NIL deal with adidas. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

There were not many adidas schools represented in last night's draft. But between existing NIL partnerships and most players hitting sneaker free agency, that doesn't mean anything.

Adidas Basketball congratulated former UConn Huskies forward Aaliyah Edwards on going to the Washington Mystics. Now, the brand will look to secure as much top talent as possible.

Under Armour

Kamilla Cardoso wore Under Armour during her time in college. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks center Kamilla Cardoso went third to the Chicago Sky. Unfortunately, that does not translate to an immediate win for Under Armour.

The brand did not post on social media about Cardoso or any other rookies from Under Armour schools. However, Under Armour waited until the Opening Night of the regular season last year to announce a slew of new signings.

Reebok

Angel Reese signed an NIL deal with Reebok. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Bayou Barbie is heading to the Windy City, which feels like a perfect match. But where does this leave Angel Reese's relationship with Reebok? She signed an NIL deal with the brand last year and has a strong relationship with fellow LSU alum and Reebok Basketball President Shaquille O'Neal.

However, Reebok does not have any performance basketball shoes. It seems likely that Reese either remains with Reebok as a brand ambassador and sneaker free agent (like Justin Fields in the NFL) or signs with another brand (hello, PUMA).

Further Reading: WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart debuts her third signature sneaker with PUMA.