Back in 1995, Nike was already making major waves in the world of sports. Michael Jordan was the face of the brand, and their partnership was redefining what a sports endorsement could look like. At the time, the idea of signature sneakers was still this elite, almost untouchable concept, especially for women. Then came Sheryl Swoopes. After MJ changed the game for Nike, Swoopes did something that was just as groundbreaking in its own right. She became the first female athlete to land her own signature Nike shoe: the “Air Swoopes.”

“To be honest with you, even today when I talk about it, when I think about it, I still get a little choked up,” Swoopes shared once. And then, there was no coming back for her. She wore them at the Olympics. She wore them at the WNBA championships. Almost everywhere. Impressive right? Not really, because little did Swoopes know what was awaiting her ahead.

It all came after six years when she got to feature in a photoshoot for Vibe magazine. At that time, Vibe magazine was a big deal since it was launched by music producer Quincy Jones, a leading voice in hip-hop and R&B culture at the time. By 2001, it had already become a significant platform for highlighting prominent personalities across multiple sports. It covered in-depth interviews, striking photography, and a commitment to the intersections of music, fashion, and cultural commentary.

And then, it came out featuring Swoopes not just as an athlete, but as a cultural icon. Well, it’s been 24 years since then, but the memories of the event haven’t faded. Recently, a user posted a picture of Swoopes in the magazine on X. “A THROWBACK!! THEE @airswoopes22 in VIBE Magazine • 2001,” read the tweet. Alongside it was a picture of her looking in the mirror, wearing black pants paired with a black halter neck. As expected, the nostalgic post went viral within minutes, catching Swoopes’ attention.

When she saw it, she couldn’t resist responding: “Ooohhh you went deep in the vault to find all that hotness!!!” she shared. I mean, what else would you expect? Swoopes has earned respect for a reason. She might now be known for her criticism, especially toward Caitlin Clark, but once upon a time, she was in that position herself.

Three-time MVP, four-time champion, Olympic gold medalist- you just name an accolade, she had it all. And in case you’re unaware, she was also the first player signed to the WNBA. Simply put, she was living that reality when the WNBA had just transformed itself from being a mere idea. Seems unbelievable, right? It has been years since then, and now Swoopes is more known as a critic!

The beginning of a feud that won’t end!

While Swoopes was known for being a basketball phenom, her influence extended far beyond the hardwood. Her transition into a critic and commentator role was a natural progression, given her deep understanding of the game.

Let’s be honest, it wasn’t really a big deal until this season. Everyone turned against her when she made critical commentary about Caitlin Clark. Since Clark emerged with the hype, boasting 2.1 million Instagram followers, it didn’t take long for Swoopes to step into the critic role. Even now, the situation hasn’t improved. Her latest appearance on Gilbert Arenas’ “Gil’s Arena” stirred up another round of controversy.

Though she didn’t say anything directly, it was her outfit that caught attention. Notably, she wore a shirt featuring Paige Bueckers, the UConn star and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. While it could have been her way of supporting the league, Caitlin Clark’s fans weren’t having it. Especially considering Swoopes has been so critical of Caitlin Clark. Remember August 2024? How Swoopes remained silent when Clark’s Player of the Week award was mentioned.

To address the growing criticism, Swoopes shared a private text exchange with Clark on social media, in which she apologized for her earlier comments and expressed respect for Clark’s achievements. Clark responded positively to the message, but Swoopes’ subsequent silence during broadcasts involving Clark led some to question the sincerity of her apology.

The situation escalated when Swoopes got into a public feud with fellow basketball analyst Nancy Lieberman over their differing views on Clark. Lieberman defended Clark’s accomplishments, while Swoopes continued to express skepticism about Clark’s transition to the WNBA. And it hasn’t ended since then. But that doesn’t mean Swoopes wasn’t a game-changer herself!