Dawn Staley explains how new Nike deal will help Gamecocks WBB in recruiting
South Carolina will officially become a Nike school in 2026 after nearly 20 years of having Under Armour as its official apparel provider and outfitter.
The Gamecocks women’s basketball team is heavily featured in the contract terms of South Carolina’s 10-year deal with Nike. Staley and her team kicked off the 2025-26 preseason with their first official practice Monday.
Staley, who had her own signature shoe with Nike as a player, was asked about the upcoming deal with Nike after Monday’s practice. She was quick to offer a joke.
“I’ve been a Nike athlete for 30 years,” she said. “So for me personally, it’s helpful. I can stop buying designer shoes because I’ve got a lot of Nike gear — a lot of Nike shoes.”
At the same time, Staley made sure to share her appreciation for the work Under Armour has done with the program. Under Armour has been South Carolina’s official outfitter since 2007, meaning the brand was alongside the women’s basketball program for every step of its meteoric rise.
Under Armour has been with USC for every season Staley has been at the helm of the program including all 475 wins, nine SEC Tournament championships and three national championships (2017, 2022, 2024).
“Under Armour was great to us,” Staley said. “We wore Under Armor when we won three national championships. So it’s nothing against what they’ve done to us. We’ve made great relationships and friendships with them.”
Details of new Nike contract for USC WBB
In the new Nike deal, USC women’s basketball will get a “full redesign” of its uniform offerings (at least four uniforms) within the first four years of the contract.
The Gamecocks will be outfitted in advanced Nike uniforms for the 2026-27 season. The contract states South Carolina will wear the “advanced Paris uniform chassis,” the same worn by the USA women’s basketball national team during the 2024 Paris Olympics. A “chassis” is essentially a jersey model.
Though Under Armour has been good for the Gamecocks, Staley said the switch to Nike could aid in South Carolina’s efforts on the recruiting trail.
“I do think it helps recruiting,” Staley said. “Change helps recruiting, just change. … Most kids, no matter what kind of packages they get, seem to be attracted to Nike, no matter what it is. You could get less, and they’re attracted to it. But I do think Nike will do every sport here right.”
Perhaps the biggest nod to South Carolina women’s basketball in the future Nike contract is the “A’ja Wilson Integration.” As part of the deal, the Gamecock great and newly four-time WNBA MVP winner will have her signature Nike gear featured heavily within the program.
Nike plans to provide the program with Wilson’s signature sneakers — the A’Ones and soon-to-be-released A’Twos — and other related gear.
Staley said there’s potential for Nike to highlight some of the more recent stars the program has produced like Wilson and WNBA MVP finalist Allisha Gray with the school’s new deal.
“I think women’s basketball will be a place in which they got a lot of room in which to display our legends,” Staley said. “Allisha’s a Nike athlete. A’ja’s a Nike athlete. … You’ve got two good ones who have done extremely well in the league and hopefully will feel the love.”
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM.
