Matt Varga Nike’s women’s basketball division just got deeper. After signing USC’s Juju Watkins to an endorsement deal in close proximity to the start of her college career, Nike is further ratifying their commitment to the sophomore with a new multi-year extension of that contract.
Though exact contract details haven’t surfaced just yet, ESPN insider Shams Charania shares that the new deal gives the USC sophomore “one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.” Obviously the wording there is imperative, with this deal expected to class her alongside all of the sport’s biggest faces, rather than just her college peers.
Her initial agreement with Nike was signed in October 2022, a month before she even committed to USC. In the time since, the accolades have come fast & furious; her last season was highlighted by All-American status and an Elite Eight finish for the Trojans.
Switching from California to Beaverton’s end, the move sets up the Swoosh with the endorsement rights for some of the W’s likely faces of the league for years to come. In addition to signing Caitlin Clark, the Swoosh now have Paige Bueckers, the expected #1 pick in 2025, and Watkins, currently projected to headline the 2027 class, under their umbrella.
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