Courtney Williams, a guard for the Minnesota Lynx and a two-time WNBA All-Star this season, has generated significant attention by wearing Moolah sneakers during games, despite the brand not being licensed by the WNBA. On July 3, she wore the Moolah Neovolt Pro v2 Dragonfruit shoes against the Washington Mystics, resulting in a fine for violating league footwear rules.
The $124.99 Moolah sneakers are not approved by the league, and Williams has been fined five times for wearing them; however, the shoe company has taken responsibility for covering the penalties. Her continued use of the banned sneakers has propelled Moolah’s sales to surge by 329% this July compared to last year, as reported by The Times. Moolah founder Natalie White aims to expand the brand‘s presence among more WNBA players next season.
Context on Signature Sneakers and Industry Impact
Currently, only a handful of WNBA players have signature sneaker deals, including stars such as A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Angel Reese, and Breanna Stewart. Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark is expected to join this list with a Nike partnership launching in 2026. Williams’ visible endorsement of Moolah, despite the league’s restrictions, challenges existing norms and highlights emerging women-owned brands in basketball footwear.
Insights into the Lynx Duo’s Distinctive Style
Alongside her teammate Natisha Hiedeman, Williams makes up the well-known duo StudBudz, recognized for their daring bubblegum pink hair. During a preview of the second episode of the Fudd Around and Find Out podcast hosted by UConn’s Azzi Fudd, the two players revealed the story behind their unique look.
“To tell you the truth, we had a bad day at practice,” Williams said.
“Cheryl made me cry,” Hiedeman said.
“She’s in the bathroom with the clippers,” Williams said.
This playful revelation adds personality to their on-court success. The Lynx, bolstered by Williams and Hiedeman’s performances, currently lead the standings with a 27-5 record and have secured a playoff spot this season.