Under Armour will no longer be an authorized footwear supplier to the WNBA for the 2026 season after failing to renew its agreement with the league. As a result, several athletes sponsored by the brand have been forced to cover logos with tape or wear unbranded shoes during games.
Under the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, players may only wear non-Nike footwear from brands that hold Authorized Footwear Supplier status and provide qualifying endorsement deals. Brands without that designation are not permitted to display their logos on court.
Dallas Wings center Li Yueru has been seen playing in Curry 13 sneakers with the Curry Brand logo taped over, while Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey has worn Curry Brand shoes manufactured without visible Under Armour branding. Despite some players appearing in games with logos exposed, no sanctions have been publicly reported.
The situation highlights the restrictive nature of the WNBA’s footwear regulations. Nike has been the league’s exclusive on-court apparel partner since the 2019-20 season and extended its agreement through 2037 in 2024.
Under Armour’s departure from the WNBA supplier program is another sign of the company’s gradual retreat from basketball. The brand parted ways with Stephen Curry in 2025, while women’s basketball star Kelsey Plum also left the company in 2026.
The financial impact is visible in Under Armour’s results. Footwear was the company’s weakest-performing category in fiscal 2026, declining 11% to $1.1 billion. Under CEO Kevin Plank, the brand has focused on streamlining its product portfolio and investing in categories with stronger long-term growth potential.
The WNBA’s footwear framework remains an outlier among major North American sports leagues. While athletes in the NFL, MLB and NHL enjoy greater freedom in footwear selection, the WNBA continues to tightly regulate on-court branding.
With growing commercial interest in women’s basketball and rising player marketability, the league’s footwear policies could face increased scrutiny in the coming years.