Nike makes its move into pickleball, signing Anna Leigh Waters to apparel and shoe deal

Alex Lantz

Director of Content

Last Edited

Jan 13 2026

Category

News

Those in the pickleball industry have been wondering for years: When will Nike get involved in the sport?

The athletic apparel and shoe giant officially made its entrance on Tuesday, signing world No. 1 women's player Anna Leigh Waters to a long-term sponsorship deal that elevates pickleball to new heights in the sports landscape.

"Growing up, I watched my idols wear the Swoosh in their biggest moments, so joining the Nike family is a dream realized,” Waters said. “We are going to push the boundaries of what’s possible in pickleball through this partnership. 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.”

The deal had been in the works for months, as the two sides were rumored to have had meetings at the Pickleball World Championships in Dallas in early November. Waters previously had an apparel and shoe deal with FILA.

The announcement comes just days after Waters and Franklin Sports announced a long-term paddle deal. As part of the Franklin contract -- which is believed to be in the millions -- Waters will assist in the design of a signature line of paddles, bags and accessories.

The Nike deal, which covers apparel and shoes, is believed to be smaller from a monetary standpoint, but will undoubtedly make waves in the pickleball industry, as it signals significant interest in the sport from one of the largest brands in the world.

She is the first-ever pickleball athlete to join Nike’s global roster.

Waters will make her debut in Nike shoes and clothes at this week's PPA Tour Masters in Palm Springs, California, which is one of the biggest tournaments on the pickleball calendar. In photos that surfaced last week, Waters was seen wearing Nike Zoom Challenge pickleball shoes, which are currently the only pickleball shoes that Nike makes.

Players are required to wear all white at the Masters, so fans can expect her to be rocking white Nike kits throughout the week.

Waters, who turns 19 this month, has won 181 gold medals and 39 triple crowns in her 7-year career, making her the face of the sport at the pro level (along with Ben Johns).

She also has more star power than any other figure in the game -- in 2025 alone she appeared in multiple billboards in Times Square in New York City, threw out the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game, did several live interviews with major media outlets (like this one on ESPN's Sportscenter) and also was our most popular guest on Pickleballers this year.