Simone Biles is the most decorated in her sport, and people look up to her as an inspiration. Furthermore, the gymnast has been vocal regarding various social issues in the past.

Therefore, she made waves last year when she announced her departure from her longtime sponsor and sportswear juggernaut, Nike. Moreover, she made her decision public just three months prior to the Tokyo Olympics.

Why did Simone Biles drop the deal with Nike?

Simone Biles made the announcement after signing a new deal with GAP-owned women’s sports apparel brand, Athleta. During an interview, the two-time Olympian mentioned that she made the shift because she felt that her new sponsor represented her core values better.

Speaking to media personnel, Biles said, “I think they stand for everything that I stand for.”

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Additionally, her new deal with Athleta included a gymnastics tour, the Gold Over America Tour, after the athlete returned from the Games. It marks a break from the tour sponsored by USA Gymnastics after every Olympic event.

Suggesting the reason behind the switch, Biles said, “I felt like it wasn’t just about my achievements, it’s what I stood for and how they were going to help me use my voice and also be a voice for females and kids. I feel like they also support me, not just as an athlete, but just as an individual outside of the gym and the change that I want to create, which is so refreshing.”

The seven-time Olympic medalist was associated with Nike for most of her professional career. She signed a deal with the sports giant back in 2015. They had been working together till her partnership with Athleta the previous year.

However, the athlete has not revealed the reason behind the fallout between the athlete and the sportswear company.

Why did Biles decide to partner with Athleta?

Simone Biles has maintained that Athleta would provide her with a platform to actively engage in “honest conversations” with women from all walks of life. She also likes the idea of having a design team with a predominantly female workforce. It allowed her to relate to the company’s ideal of “truly for women by women.”

The previous years have seen a rise in athletes dropping the sponsorship of Nike for other brands. It includes Steph Curry, Bryce Harper, Tom Brady, and Lionel Messi.

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However, the most significant among them is Allyson Felix. The sprinter left Nike to sign a deal with Athleta in 2019. Moreover, Nike’s contract with the estate of Kobe Bryant also expired last year.