After Nike and Las Vegas Aces player A’ja Wilson announced her new signature logo, many fans initially reacted with confusion before reading the explanation behind the design.

Two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson revealed a new signature Nike logo that will accompany her signature shoe on Saturday – but many basketball fans were left confused by the abstract design.

At first glance, Wilson’s new icon, shown on a T-shirt she’s wearing in a promotional image, somewhat resembles the shape of a goldfish snack, with the tail on the left side and the head on the right. So, some people expressed initial puzzlement online when it emerged.

But Nike has clarified that the true meaning is meant to be a resemblance to a star, which the Las Vegas Aces standout has historically used to sign the first letter of her name.

“A’ja Wilson’s star-shaped signature logo is inspired by her distinctive style, incredible performance and unapologetic realness,” the company wrote. “Coincidentally, she always drew a star in the ‘A’ of her signature, which is accentuated in her logo in an energetic and playful way.

“The base shape of the logo incorporates strong, bold lines, symbolizing the strength and support she brings to her team. Design doesn’t get more genuine to A’ja than this.”

Added Wilson on social media while sharing the logo: “A’One Since Day One.” Additionally, Nike shared that the logo carries a “90s style” that alludes to how Wilson “sparkles on the court and off the court” while displaying “power and grace.”

A back-of-the-napkin design explanation released by Nike. ( Image: Nike)
Wilson’s brand partnership with Nike carries substantial personal meaning beyond the financial details. She’s advocated for more commercial opportunities for Black athletes, and she hopes that her deal can inspire others.

“I think it’s a huge thing. I think a lot of people may say it’s not about Black and white, but to me, it is,” Wilson told the Associated Press this year of the racial disparity in which women’s basketball players are viewed as marketable. “It really is because you can be top-notch at what you are as a Black woman, but yet maybe that’s something that people don’t want to see.

“They don’t see it as marketable, so it doesn’t matter how hard I work. It doesn’t matter what we all do as Black women, we’re still going to be swept underneath the rug. That’s why it boils my blood when people say it’s not about race because it is.

On the court, Wilson is likely making Nike appreciative to have her under its sponsorship umbrella, currently on track to break Diana Taurasi’s single-season WNBA scoring average record of 25.3. As of Saturday night, Wilson is averaging 27.8 points per game in 2024.

Because of her dominance, Wilson is a frontrunner to win WNBA MVP for the third time in her career, and she led the first round of fan All-Star Game voting. But she’s more focused on reversing the Aces’ atypical slump that has them hovering around a .500 record.