Candace Parker, a three-time WNBA champion, recently announced her retirement as a player after a successful 16-season career. Following her retirement, Parker has taken on a new role as the president of women's basketball at Adidas.
Adidas revealed that Parker will be instrumental in creating a platform focused on influencing and elevating the future of women's sports. In addition to this, she will also be overseeing the brand's women's basketball products, emphasizing innovation, representation, and access within the industry.
In a statement, Parker expressed her excitement about stepping into this new leadership role with Adidas, highlighting her commitment to driving positive change within women's sports.
As part of her responsibilities, Parker will contribute to expanding Adidas' roster of women players, which currently includes notable athletes such as Aliyah Boston, Nneka Ogwumike, and Chiney Ogwumike.
Adidas' global general manager of Basketball, Eric Wise, expressed confidence in Parker's ability to lead the brand's women's basketball business to new heights, emphasizing her potential to drive growth and credibility for the brand.
Parker's decision to retire was influenced by a foot injury that sidelined her for the previous season. She chose to step away from the game to ensure she did not compromise her integrity or the integrity of the sport.
Throughout her illustrious career, Parker played a significant role in the WNBA, spending 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks before winning titles with the Chicago Sky in 2021 and the Las Vegas Aces in the most recent season. Her achievements include winning multiple MVP awards and establishing herself as a dominant force on the court.
Overall, Candace Parker's transition to a leadership role at Adidas marks a new chapter in her career, where she will continue to make a lasting impact on women's basketball and sports as a whole.