sports
January 13, 2026
Nike signs phenom Anna Leigh Waters in its first pickleball deal
Nike signs first pickleball deal with phenom Anna Leigh Waters
TL;DR
- Nike has signed Anna Leigh Waters, the No. 1 ranked pickleball player.
- Waters is the first pickleball athlete to join Nike's roster.
- The deal includes apparel and footwear for all her professional events.
- Waters will also serve as a global pickleball ambassador for Nike.
- Nike has been slow to engage with the growing popularity of pickleball.
- This partnership comes during Nike's turnaround plan under new CEO Elliott Hill.
- Waters had a record-breaking year, holding No. 1 rankings in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
- She previously had a deal with Fila that expired in 2025.
- Waters also has endorsement deals with Franklin Sports, Delta Air Lines, DoorDash, and Ulta Beauty.
- Her new Nike partnership will debut at the Carvana Masters in Rancho Mirage, California.
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