After Caitlin Clark, Insider Reveals Sad Truth Behind Steph Curry’s Shoe Agency Decision Tied to Azzi Fudd

Steph Curry's departure from Under Armour came as a surprise in the NBA world. The two have been partners for 13 years and have benefited from each other's success. However, the Golden State Warriors star decided to leave the company in November to focus on the Curry Brand.

After he left, it was revealed that Curry wanted the brand to pursue Caitlin Clark. Unfortunately for the Warriors star, Clark signed an eight-year, $28 million deal with Nike. Bloomberg revealed that the failed attempt to sign the WNBA star was one of the main reasons for the NBA star's departure.

"One sore point for Curry was the attempt last year to recruit Caitlin Clark to join his brand, according to people familiar with the matter," Bloomberg reported. "He and the company pursued the phenom, but Under Armour's offer trailed the total value of Nike's pitch, the people said. Clark, now a star in the WNBA, opted to sign with Nike."

This time, sneaker insider Sole Retriever revealed that the failure to sign basketball phenom Azzi Fudd was another reason why Curry left.

“Sources emphasized to Sole Retriever that Steph Curry’s frustration with Under Armour not pursuing Azzi Fudd was real, longstanding and meaningful,” the media outlet reported. “Curry had long seen Fudd as a cornerstone athlete for Curry Brand and pushed for her internally.”

The only link between the college star and the future NBA legend is their partnership. She is signed with Curry Brand and has a multi-dimensional NIL deal.

---

Steph Curry also tried to recruit Sabrina Ionescu to sign with the Curry Brand

Steph Curry wants to grow the Curry Brand, and one way to do that is to sign athletes. After missing out on Clark, Curry revealed that after leaving Under Armour, he tried to pursue New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu.

"[Sabrina and I] have a long history. She's from the bay, and obviously just following her career," Curry said via a post from Bleacher Report on Instagram.

"And there was a time when she was coming out of school, that I was trying to get her to Curry Brand. It's hard to get an Oregon Duck to leave Nike."

The WNBA star signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Nike in 2020, which includes a signature shoe. Ionescu's first signature sneaker was Sabrina 1, released on Sept. 1, 2023. It was a great start to her Nike deal, followed by the Sabrina 2. Her second signature pair was a global success, receiving specific colorways and collaborations to this day.

Her third signature shoe was the Sabrina 3, released in July 2025. The "All-Star" colorway was the first to be available to the public.

With the success that Ionescu has had with Nike, it will be difficult for Steph Curry to recruit her to join the Curry Brand.