In what’s being called a first, sneaker giant Nike (NKE) has singed an endorsement deal with a pickleball player.
Claim 70% Off TipRanks Premium
- Unlock hedge fund-level data and powerful investing tools for smarter, sharper decisions
- Stay ahead of the market with the latest news and analysis and maximize your portfolio's potential
Specifically, Nike has signed a deal with No. 1-ranked pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters, making her the first pickleball athlete to join Nike’s roster of stars. The sports apparel company has long been associated with professional athletes such as golfer Tiger Woods and basketball player Michael Jordan.
The signing of a pickleball player is a first for Nike and indicates how the sport, which is similar to tennis, has grown in popularity and become more mainstream in recent years. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, Nike said that Waters will represent Nike for both apparel and footwear across all of her events and professional pickleball tournaments.
Who Is Anna Leigh Waters?
Anna Leigh Waters is an 18-year-old American who is currently the number one ranked woman’s pickleball player in the world. Nike said she will also serve as a global pickleball ambassador for company. Waters previously had a footwear deal with the sports company Fila that expired in 2025.
Pickleball has seen explosive growth in recent years, but up until now, Nike has been slow to jump on the trend. The company is currently in the midst of a turnaround plan under new CEO Elliott Hill after lagging sales and a stock slump.
The new partnership caps off a record-breaking year for Waters. She is currently ranked No. 1 in women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles, with a record 181 gold medals and 39 career triple crowns (winning singles, doubles and mixed doubles at one event). Waters’ pickleball career began in 2019, when she became the youngest-ever pro pickleball player at the age of 12.
″Growing up, I watched my idols wear the Swoosh in their biggest moments, so joining the Nike family is a dream realized,” Waters in a statement. “Nike is the gold standard in performance and I can’t wait to step onto the court representing a brand that believes in the same relentless pursuit of greatness that drives me every day.”
Last week, Waters announced she was switching paddle companies and joining Franklin Sports. Waters also has deals with major brands including Delta Air Lines
, DoorDash
and Ulta Beauty
. She currently makes $2 million annually from the United Pickleball Association, according to a person familiar with Waters’ earnings, who asked to remain anonymous to speak about nonpublic matters.
Her new Nike partnership will debut this week as she competes at the Carvana Masters in Rancho Mirage, California, according to a representative for Waters.