The basketball sub-label of the swoosh label has been one of the most crucial to its financial success as they have taken on a number of musicians. Among the most recent partners was WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu. Since it was the first time the Swoosh label worked with a WNBA player to establish a signature shoe line, the partnership made history.
In 1995, Sheryl Swoopes set a milestone when she teamed up with Nike to become the first woman to own an exclusive basketball shoe. Few female WNBA players have received this honour. The company's first shoe line created specifically for a female athlete is Nike Air Swoopes. In the 27-year history of the WNBA, the company has only given signature status to 12 female athletes.