Dawn Staley and hoops fans defend A'ja Wilson amid Nike signature logo backlash

A’ja Wilson‘s logo for her forthcoming Nike signature shoe and clothing line was recently revealed, and after some online backlash, Dawn Staley and hoops fans are defending the design.

When A’ja’s signature shoe was finally announced in May, fans were overjoyed.  One of her biggest supporters, Dawn Staley, couldn’t contain her excitement and made a celebratory video, donning a fitting “Of course, she has a shoe” shirt.

The vibes were really high, and they continued over the weekend when Wilson launched her signature logo, which she admitted had been hiding in plain sight for months. Transparently, the logo is unique and probably wasn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. But Wilson seemingly wasn’t expecting such targeted backlash from an outlet (in a since-deleted post) that claimed to support women. (Warning: NSFW language.)

I get ppl are gonna have their opinions and think pieces & that’s all fine and dandy it’s all apart of it but this is lame asf coming from a site that suppose to be for “us” BUTTTTTTT Bet it up! the A collection is about to be so much fun and a great collection for… https://t.co/gU7s078Rzw

— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) June 26, 2024

A’ja Wilson is not too pleased with Just Women’s Sports.

One of their shows, “Expert Adjacent” aired a segment lampooning the logo of two-time WNBA champion and MVP’s new signature shoe.

The post from JWS has since been deleted from social media. pic.twitter.com/x2NcSELV9M

— Lesley Ryder (@RyderReally) June 26, 2024

It didn’t take long before Dawn Staley and loads of hoops fans jumped in to defend A’ja and the logo. Here’s what they said:

You know what the jig is up with Just Women’s Sports…..I want to say more but I’ll leave it at this. And btw, I love @_ajawilson22 logo. It’s innovative and creative….it’s A’ONE!

— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) June 26, 2024

Anyone with sense realized a minute ago they were NOT for women’s sports and uplifting women in sport at all and they are proving why tonight!!!

But what we won’t do is play about YOU!

What we don’t do is play about our M’VP!

PERIOD’T. https://t.co/9uyR3nvdmF

— TJ Keasal (@_talkswithtj) June 26, 2024

and what are they gonna say when we’re all rocking the A’ONE collection next year? lmao JWS is not for all women https://t.co/l1TxabXvBv

— Lakeyia Brown (@keyjbrown) June 26, 2024

Why are these people messing with the most unproblematic person??!! Leave her and her fire logo alone. I’m begging. https://t.co/7kURU0QwLV

— Janae Neighbors (@JanaeNeighbors) June 26, 2024

I love a “This post has been deleted” pic.twitter.com/U1wastzBzw

— E (@_YoungCee15) June 26, 2024

A fun and great collection for everyone. Cause you know the haters gonna be the first ones to cop. That’s the funny thing.

— CJ (@CJSimpson_) June 26, 2024

In another post to X (formerly Twitter), A’ja did not let the moment pass without thanking all of her supporters.

I do wanna say thank you to all the ppl that support me and my squad fr ! Doesn’t go unnoticed yall are top tier real ones fr

— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) June 26, 2024