Nike Is Coming for Padel — and They Want Tapia

Nike wants in. The world's biggest sportswear brand is planning a full padel entry in 2027, and they've already identified their star: Agustín Tapia, world #1 and the most exciting player in the sport.

The story broke via Sporting Goods Intelligence, the sporting goods industry's trade bible. According to multiple reports confirmed by Padel Magazine and PadelAddict, Nike has approached Tapia to become the face of their padel line. There's one problem: Nox CEO Jesús Ballvé confirmed that Tapia is under contract with the Spanish racket brand through the end of 2028.

Tapia isn't hiding his feelings. "It would be a dream for me," he told Padel Magazine when asked about the Nike rumors. That's about as public as contract drama gets in padel.

The move isn't random. In January 2026, Nike signed pickleball's #1 Anna Leigh Waters — their first-ever racket sport deal outside tennis. Now they're targeting padel's #1. Pattern recognized: Nike is building a portfolio that covers every court sport where a wall is involved.

It gets bigger. Reports suggest Nike is also eyeing Premier Padel's official technical partnership, currently held by Bullpadel through end-2026. If Nike replaces Bullpadel as the tour's equipment partner AND signs the world's best player, every competitor — Adidas, Head, Wilson, Bullpadel — would need to respond with real money, not just racket lines.

What happens next depends on the Nox contract. Two and a half years is a long time in padel, but Nike has the patience and the budget to wait. In the meantime, expect every brand in padel to be watching nervously.

Source: SGI Europe — Nike padel move: Nox contract blocks Agustín Tapia deal, Padel Magazine