Moolah: A sneaker war

[Bone Dog]

A small brand has an endorsement deal with Courtney Williams, but she is not allowed to wear them in actual WNBA games. It's a tangled tale, and it has the tiniest sliver of a connection to UConn because Caroline's sister, Ashley Ducharme, works for Moolah.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/nyregion/moolah-kicks-womens-basketball-sneakers-wnba.html

 

[Kaizen]

I cannot believe WNBA has the right to decide what shoes the players can wear.

Does WNBA decide what brands of unders the players can wear?

 

[ucbart]

I cannot believe WNBA has the right to decide what shoes the players can wear.

Does WNBA decide what brands of unders the players can wear?

You can't? Nike has a full apparel deal with the NBA/WNBA.

 

[Bone Dog]

I imagine it’s part of the CBA. The league has contracts with some shoe companies. Moolah is too small to be able to afford the buy in. As an income source for the league, these contracts are an integral part of the league’s ability to increase salaries.

 

[Dogdude]

You can't? Nike has a full apparel deal with the NBA/WNBA.

In the article, it also states that Nike has an ownership stake in the league. While I get the financial aspect of the position the league is taking, it isn't a good look. A woman-specific shoe company, founded and run by a woman, with a product specifically made for women, isn't allowed into the WNBA unless they pay huge amounts. But when you take a huge company as a business partner as opposed to just being a sponsor, this is what you get.

 

[ucbart]

In the article, it also states that Nike has an ownership stake in the league. While I get the financial aspect of the position the league is taking, it isn't a good look. A woman-specific shoe company, founded and run by a woman, with a product specifically made for women, isn't allowed into the WNBA unless they pay huge amounts. But when you take a huge company as a business partner as opposed to just being a sponsor, this is what you get.

From what I understand, players can have shoe deals and wear them, as Setwie does with Puma. The stipulations are that the deal has to be signed before the start of the season and the player must be paid at least $5,000. So, can she wear them next year?

 

[Kaizen]

You can't? Nike has a full apparel deal with the NBA/WNBA.

I guess you are right.

From Google,
Yes, apparel generally includes shoes. "Apparel" is a broad term encompassing all types of clothing and accessories worn on the body, including footwear. While shoes are also a specific category called "footwear," they are considered part of the broader apparel category, according to some fashion publications and apparel industry sources.

 

[Dogdude]

From what I understand, players can have shoe deals and wear them, as Setwie does with Puma. The stipulations are that the deal has to be signed before the start of the season and the player must be paid at least $5,000. So, can she wear them next year?

It seems like the sneaker maker (as with Puma) also needs to be approved (i.e. lots of cash) paid to the league as well as the athlete, and Moolah doesn't have that kind of dough in order to play the game.