A little over a week ago, 2x NCAA champion and 3x WNBA champion Candace Parker announced she was retiring from professional basketball at the age of 38.
Most figured Parker would expand her media duties with TNT during the NBA and college basketball seasons.
But Parker had another plan in mind, and yesterday we all found out what it was.
On Wednesday, Adidas announced that Parker was appointed as the new President of Adidas women’s basketball.
The appointment is the culmination of a relationship that began in 2008 when Parker first signed with the brand at the end of her incredible rookie WNBA season. That year she averaged 18.5 ppg and 9.5 rpg en route to taking home league MVP and Rookie of the Year honors, the first player in league history to do so.
But her love for Adidas actually began in high school and continued at the University of Tennessee where she won numerous awards, including sweeping the award podium in 2008 with seven individual collegiate awards and a gold medal at the Olympics.
Now she’ll be taking her talents and love for Adidas to the brand’s boardroom.
“Stepping into this new leadership role is a deeply personal next step in my journey with adidas,” said Parker in a statement. “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.”
Make no mistake. Parker will not be a figurehead for Adidas or the face of the brand. Effective immediately, she will be running the show.
“I said to [Adidas], ‘I don’t want to be a mascot. I really want to be in the meetings, and I want to be a part of making decisions,” she said.
In 2010, Parker made brand history by becoming the first woman Adidas created a signature shoe for. She went on to create three collections with the company and two years ago, she led a mentorship program for Adidas’ first class of NIL-sponsored college athletes.
So now Candace Parker adds the title of president to her lengthy resume that already includes titles like player, champion, MVP, analyst and mom.
