During the WNBA All-Star Weekend, Adidas Women’s Basketball held a heartfelt ceremony to honor Candace Parker’s remarkable career and her new role as president of the brand. The event celebrated Parker’s 16-year journey with Adidas, bringing together her closest friends, family, and fellow WNBA athletes.
Parker expressed her gratitude and pride in representing a brand aligned with her values, stating, “I’m so happy to represent a brand that believes in what I believe in, want my opinion and want to push the game forward. I’m so grateful to adidas.”
Parker’s association with Adidas began in 2008, coinciding with her rookie season in the WNBA. In 2010, she made history by becoming the first woman to have a signature shoe with Adidas, the ACE Commander. Over her illustrious career, which concluded in 2023, Parker secured her legacy as one of the WNBA’s greatest players, winning two MVP awards.
In May, Adidas named Parker the first-ever president of Adidas Women’s Basketball, a role created to emphasize the brand’s dedication to women’s sports. The ceremony featured notable speakers such as Chelsea Gray and Sue Bird, who commended Parker for her pioneering efforts and significant impact both on and off the court.
Moved by the tribute, Parker urged the audience to continue advocating for women, saying, “Never stop opening doors for women. I’m so grateful for where the game is right now. To the players that are still playing – enjoy it. Your responsibility is to open up more doors for the next and do the impossible.”
The WNBA All-Star weekend festivities began with the annual ACE Party, following the ceremony for Parker. The event drew prominent figures like Angel Reese and Megan Rapinoe, and featured a performance by Flau’jae Johnson to conclude the evening.
Both the ceremony and the ACE Party highlighted Adidas’ commitment to promoting women in basketball and fostering a supportive community among its athlete partners.
