Skechers made a big move into the basketball category last year by adding Julius Randle of the New York Knicks and Terance Mann of the Los Angeles Clippers to their athlete roster in October. Now, they have signed their first WNBA brand ambassador.
The brand announced on Monday that Rickea Jackson of the Los Angeles Sparks has joined as their new ambassador. Jackson, the 4th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, joins Skechers’ athlete roster alongside Randle, Mann, and 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid.
“I’m excited to be the first WNBA player partnering with Skechers,” Jackson said. “Although Skechers is relatively new in the basketball world, their dedication to fit, support, and active collaboration with athletes is evident. The comfort and design of their footwear is truly impressive. I enjoy training in these shoes and am looking forward to our partnership.”
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For the announcement, Jackson was photographed wearing Skechers’ new Skx Nexus shoe, a low-top style the brand said was designed with speed, stability and support in mind. The look, according to Skechers, is ideal “for players like Jackson who desire a fast and responsive court-feel.”
The shoe also includes the brand’s resilient Skechers Move Foam, as well as breathable mesh uppers, lockdown ankle support in the heel and Goodyear rubber outsoles with a torsion-plate designed to “amplify traction for quick cuts on the court.”
While the Skx Nexus is not yet available for purchase, other basketball shoes from Skechers can be purchased, such as the lightweight Skx Resagrip and the Skx Float, designed for stability and control. They are available on Skechers.com, with prices ranging from $140 to $150.
“To give each player the attention they deserve, our roster of professional basketball athletes is focused and includes veterans like 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid, three-time NBA All-Star Julius Randle, and rising stars like LA Clippers shooting guard Terance Mann. We have been searching for the right WNBA player to add to Team Skechers, and we found her in Rickea Jackson,” said Skechers president Michael Greenberg. “Rickea is an exceptional athlete and an inspiration who deserves the best footwear that meets her needs. League rules mean fans won’t see her competing in Skechers yet, but we are already benefiting from her insights as we strive to deliver the most comfortable and innovative footwear on the court for all athletes.”
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
