“People will be quick to tell you: ‘You need to learn your place.’ So, I did. It’s first” That was the headline. A line that hit like thunder when Nike celebrated Sha’Carri Richardson’s triumph at the Paris Olympics. And it wasn’t just a tagline — it was a statement. A declaration. A reminder that when women win, they do so on their own terms. Well, Nike has long stood on the front line of women’s sports, and 2025 proved no different. This year, the brand aired its first Super Bowl ad since 1998, and it was unapologetically about women. From Sha’Carri Richardson to Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Jordan Chiles, Sabrina Ionescu, Juju Watkins, and Sophia Smith, the message was clear: women’s sports aren’t the future —they’re right now. And no one embodies that truth more than Sha’Carri.
Back in March 2024, ahead of the Paris Olympics, there were whispers when she inked a $20 million, five-year deal with Nike. Some questioned the move — was it too bold, too risky, too soon? But Nike didn’t hesitate. They backed her. And Sha’Carri delivered. Two Olympic medals. One gold in the 4x100m. The comeback? Complete. The faith? Rewarded. Now, she’s using that platform to pay it forward.
On May 3, Sha’Carri reshared a heartfelt post from a mother on Instagram. The post showed a young girl flying down the track — the caption read: “My baby really did that she said she would have been even faster if she had @itsshacarri spikes @nikerunning…400m”. Sha’Carri’s reply? “@nike LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.” That’s not just a shoutout — it’s a call to action. For the brand. For the sport. For every girl lacing up her spikes, dreaming of that finish line.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 4 x 100m Relay Round 1 – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 08, 2024. Sha’carri Richardson of United States reacts after winning heat 1 REUTERS/Phil Noble
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The post Sha’Carri Richardson’s $20 Million Nike Deal Sees Olympic Medalist Making Heartfelt Plea to Sports Giant: “Let’s Make It Happen” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
