Amid a tumultuous WNBA offseason, highlighted by injury recovery, Unrivaled snub, and tensions surrounding WNBA-CBA negotiations, Napheesa Collier is brewing something big in her off-court endeavors. And after a sneaker reporter’s tip, it’s clear that the Minnesota Lynx star is the face of a major announcement from a $3.8B shoe brand.

Collier, formerly a NIKE athlete, moved to the Jordan subsidiary last year. According to reports, Jordan’s efforts on behalf of women’s basketball players and specialized sneakers for WNBA athletes inspired Collier immensely. And approximately a year later, Collier has become a major face for the upcoming Jordan Heir Series 2.

As per SneakerReporter, the Lynx star was seen debuting a variant of the shoes in a recent advert. He shared a picture of the advert on his X handle, where Collier can be seen wearing a white variant and complemented by shades of olive green. “Napheesa Collier debuted the new Jordan Heir Series 😱😱😱,” the caption read.

Set to hit the stores on February 20, the Jordan Heir Series 2 draws immense inspiration from WNBA stars like Napheesa Collier. Per the players’ input, the shoes are made more comfortable with cushioning and additional foam to improve players’ movement on the court. Moreover, the shoe is neither bulky nor heavy, making it easy for players to wear.

Ever since Collier signed with the NIKE subsidiary, she has shifted from the NIKE Kobe and KD models to the Heir Series. She played the entire 2025 WNBA season with the Heir Series 1, and is excited for the upcoming version of the shoe.

“With my footwork being an important part of my game, the Heir Series 2 is a performance shoe that provides the flexibility and stability for me to be a force on both ends of the floor,” Collier said of the Jordan Heir Series 2. “Everyone who follows my game knows I was a fan of the Heir Series, but the innovation in the Heir Series 2 has exceeded my expectations.”

Similar to the Heir Series 1, the Jordan Heir Series 2 is priced at $110. However, the built-in features of the upcoming version are quite different from those of its earlier versions.

For instance, the new version sits a bit taller and has a smaller external cage to increase flexibility. Additionally, the Heir Series outsole is embedded in rubber for greater traction on the court.

The announcement couldn’t have arrived at a better time for Collier. She is going through a rough patch with injuries, which forced her to sit through the 2026 Unrivaled season. Moreover, being the vice-president of WNBPA, she is also part of the negotiations, which are currently at a standstill.

With the league’s executive activities, including free agent signings, halted, there is little clarity about her team for the upcoming WNBA season.

Despite uncertainties around the women’s league, the announcement suggests the brands aren’t backing away from investing in WNBA stars like Collier. The trust is still there, and brands like Jordan are confident they can take women’s basketball and sports in a new direction.

How Does Napheesa Collier Fit Into Jordan’s Women’s Development Campaign?

You ought to be special if the GOAT Michael Jordan himself comes in person to pitch you for his brand. Yes, that’s what happened to Napheesa Collier last season during the Unrivaled. Jordan’s “meaningful pitch” worked brilliantly as Collier moved from NIKE to Jordan just a few weeks later.

And there, MJ’s brand got its trump card for its campaign as Collier’s aspirations fit perfectly with Jordan’s goal.

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Jordan diverted its attention to developing women’s sports a few years ago. From a women’s collective apparel series to the Jordan Heir Series, the brand has used every possible means to establish itself as a platform for women’s development.

Moreover, the brand has signed several collegiate athletes through NIL, including Sarah Strong, Mikaylah Williams, and others.

However, it still needed a strong WNBA figure to be the face of its brand going forward. And this is where Collier comes in. Collier has a strong personality, and as the WNBPA’s vice president, she is worth far more to the brand’s image and market positioning.

With endeavors like the Unrivaled, Collier has worked to develop WNBA players, another positive reason for Collier’s signing with Jordan.

While the financial perspective is part of it, the appeal of a global star like Collier can further help the brand. While brands like Reebok and Puma have successfully established themselves in the WNBA sneaker market with Angel Reese and Breanna Stewart, respectively, Jordan is aspiring to iterate a similar story with Collier and Rhyne Howard.

And while the Heir Series 2 can be the perfect start to it, Jordan and Collier’s collaboration is in for a long run as the Lynx star has already signed a multi-year deal with the NIKE subsidiary.