Sabrina Ionescu has always been someone who breaks barriers, and now she’s a force to be reckoned with. Whether dominating the WNBA or making major waves in the sneaker world, the New York Liberty star is setting her sights on new heights. This time, it’s in the NFL, and she’s making a splash on the Super Bowl stage.
Ionescu’s Nike sneaker line, launched in 2023, quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Her kicks stood out for their blend of top-tier performance and gender-neutral design, attracting athletes from both the NBA and WNBA. As she prepares for the release of the Nike Sabrina 3 in Fall 2025, she’s not stopping there. Now, she’s eyeing the football cleat market, which could very well be the next chapter in her already impressive list of accomplishments.
In a recent interview with ‘Sports Illustrated,’ Sabrina Ionescu dropped a major hint about expanding her sneaker empire to the NFL. When asked about the possibility of a Sabrina 1 football cleat, she replied, “Yeah, there’s something in the works, so obviously, hopefully here soon we’ll be able to see that crossover with football as well. My husband is a nine-year vet in the NFL, so he would love that too.” This makes perfect sense, given how the Sabrina 1 became the most customized shoe on Nike By You in 2023 and was adopted by athletes across both leagues. Ionescu has already made it clear that her designs have a broad appeal, no matter the hardwood or gridiron.
But wait, there’s more. Ionescu is also stepping into the spotlight during one of the most-watched events of the year: the Super Bowl. Alongside big names like Willem Dafoe, Catherine O’Hara and NFL legend Randy Moss, she is a part of Michelob ULTRA’s NFL beer campaign, “The ULTRA Hustle.” In the 60 seconds of ad, the stars play a lighthearted, competitive pickleball match, with plenty of banter.
What makes the ad so great is how it blends humor with Michelob ULTRA’s ethos of friendly competition. “Play you for an Ultra?” is a perfect tagline of the campaign, bringing in the much playful spirit. Ionescu couldn’t help but laugh at how bad her pickleball skills were, saying: “We weren’t very good at it, but we had a funny, lighthearted experience.”
Sabrina Ionescu’s Super Bowl milestone
This collaboration with Michelob ULTRA is a huge moment in Sabrina Ionescu’s career. As she shared, “Here, celebrating our commercial that is going to be live around the Super Bowl. Obviously, this is my first one, so I’m really excited. Randy(Moss) and I were able to play pickleball and show our competitive juices on the pickleball court. My family and I are really excited! I’ve never been in a Super Bowl commercial; this being my first one, I feel very blessed to be able to partner with Michelob Ultra on that.” It’s clear she’s very happy to be a part of such a huge moment.
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) celebrates after defeating the Las Vegas Aces 88-84 in game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
This Super Bowl commercial is just another milestone in Sabrina Ionescu’s rapidly growing profile. It also adds to her status as a major crossover star after her 2024 WNBA championship and Olympic gold medal. Randy Moss, a legend of the NFL, had high praise for Ionescu, saying, “Her mentality—that’s why she’s great.”
Ionescu’s Super Bowl debut not only highlights her versatility but also cements her status as a mainstream icon. From the basketball court to the pickleball court, she’s proving that her star power extends well beyond the sport. It’s only a matter of time before Sabrina Ionescu’s name becomes as synonymous with pop culture as it is with basketball greatness.
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