Sheryl Swoopes

In a tribute to Swoopes's marketability, and the rising popularity of women's sports in general, the Nike shoe company in October, 1995 introduced the Air Swoopes women's basketball footwear. Nike paralleled the announcement with an extensive advertising campaign with Swoopes appearing in newspaper and television advertisements, and retail displays. Swoopes has also represented such companies as Kellogg, Wilson, Hasbro and Discover Car.

Swoopes was the first player chosen by the WNBA, which assigned her to the Houston Rockets as play began in June, 1997. Then along came the baby. She gave birth to Jordan, named after Michael Jordan, on June 27. About six weeks later, on August 7, Swoopes took the court in her WNBA debut, playing about five minutes in a 74-70 victory by the host Comets over the Phoenix Mercury. "I was very nervous for the first game after being out of competitive basketball for a year," the Associated Press quoted Swoopes. "There's a big difference in pickup ball and getting out here. It's going to take awhile to get the butterflies out."

Swoopes received a warm applause from the crowd. At courtside, some fans hovered around the baby, held by her husband, former football player Eric Jackson (the two divorced in 2000). "Upon learning she was unexpectedly pregnant, her biggest fear was telling her agent and other WNBA associates about her condition," All wrote in Pregnancy Today. "She kept her special secret throughout the first trimester 'in case something happened,' and then shared the news. 'I was nervous about what everyone would think, but they were all very supportive,' she says."

Swoopes played nine games that season (the WNBA, plays during the summer, and plays a much shorter season than the men's National Basketball Association) as the Comets won the inaugural league championship. Houston added three more, registering a rare four-peat in professional sports. Swoopes was voted the WNBA's Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Player in 2000.

Swoopes missed the 2001 WNBA season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus in her left knee. She recovered in 2002 to earn her second MVP award from the league, averaging 18.5 points per game. She scored 32 points in a game against Sacramento, one point shy of her career high. She was also named the league's top defensive player, securing a team-record 88 steals. The Comets became the only team to make the playoffs in all six WNBA seasons.