When Nika Mühl steps on the court next to terrorize WNBA foes with her relentless defense, she will be wearing Under Armour.
A day after teasing the announcement on social media, the athletic giant announced Wednesday morning that it has added the rising women’s basketball star — known by fans as the “Secretary of Defense” — to its ambassador roster.
With her multiyear partnership with Under Armour Basketball, the brand stated MĂĽhl will serve as an ambassador both on and off the court, and will wear Under Armour and Curry Brand basketball shoes this WNBA season.
“The team behind the Under Armor brand is incredible. They’re so innovative, creative and just relentless at what they do, and I align with that so much,” Mühl said in a statement. “Having grown up watching their athletes, I have seen how they really invest in them, letting them have their own vision but also helping them to grow and support their work.”
She continued, “It’s so much more than just the logo, it’s an entire community that shares the same values I do. I wanted to be a part of it, and thankfully, I am now and I am very excited to collaborate with them on new ideas and use with our collective platforms to have an impact beyond basketball.”
Though Mühl played in Nike during her college hoops days at UConn, she also has a history with Under Armour. For instance, she attended Dawg Class last year, a camp for top-tier women college guards who have pro ambitions, which was created by Under Armour and Kelsey Plum — a two-time WNBA champion and FN cover star.
MĂĽhl is joining a roster at Under Armour that includes WNBA stars Plum and Marina Mabrey.
“I feel like the [Under Armour] gear plays such a huge role for me as athlete. And I’m not even talking from a materialistic standpoint. It’s more about comfort,” Mühl explained. “I like to feel good in my skin. I like to feel confident. And Under Armour is just that.”
She continued, “Whether you’re on the court or off the court, there’s always some kind of a fight you need to be ready for, and it’s good to have some armor under whatever you’re wearing. Personally, it just makes me feel tougher. It makes me feel comfortable, but also stylish and confident, and all those things at the end of the day make me perform at my best.”
In terms of her defensive prowess, Mühl won the Big East Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2023 and 2024 while at UConn. And women’s college basketball fans will always remember how Mühl locked up a red-hot Caitlin Clark during the Final Four in 2024.
Off the court, Mühl is a certified style star, turning the heads of both hoops fans and fashion insiders alike with her show-stopping tunnel walk outfits. Mühl said in Wednesday’s announcement that she gets her style from her parents.
“My dad is a creative designer and he’s the creative mind of the family. And my mom is actually my fashion icon,” Mühl said. “I don’t think there’s one thing that she has put on since I was a kid that didn’t look good — but it’s not really even about the clothes that she is wearing. It is about the confidence that she wears them with. I’ve always tried to mimic it and fake it and be just like her. So it definitely comes from both of my parents, and I feel like it’s mostly about confidence and comfort at the end of the day.”
