Q&A with Moolah Kicks Founder Natalie White

As an athlete growing up in New York City, Natalie White was always passionate about equality. Within her sport of women’s basketball, she bared witness to divisions between her game and its male counterpart. From discounted tickets to hand-me-down jerseys and lack of equipment options, enough soon became enough.

White left the world of investment banking to build a brand that puts female ballers first. Combining the specific needs of the female foot form with an added emphasis on representation, Moolah Kicks is the first basketball brand dedicated entirely to women’s hoops.

We sat down with the trailblazing entrepreneur to discuss what sets Moolah Kicks apart from other footwear brands and more. Lace up and learn about this company dedicated to making moves in this special Pro Tips feature.

How can a basketball shoe designed specifically for the female athlete impact the game? Is it solely representation, or are there performance perks, too?

White: Women’s basketball players need their own sneakers for so many reasons. There’s the performance aspect. There’s the social representation aspect, but on a performance level, our feet are different than men’s and so are Moolah Kicks. So, we have a slimmer width, a [shallower] lateral side, a higher arch and a [narrower] heel. And this should [actually] decrease your risk of injury when you’re playing.

Are there any differences in style of play between men’s and women’s basketball that influenced the Moolah Kicks design?

The main difference[s] that influenced this design were, one, the use of ankle braces in women’s hoops. We see so many players wear ankle braces. So, in our sneakers, you can [actually] pull apart this upper part of the sneaker, so that it fits for the ankle brace. There’s also a weight difference. On average, female ballers are lighter, [so] so is our sneaker, making sure that you have that fast, first step every time.

From a mental standpoint, how do you think this improved representation can affect women’s basketball?

It’s about representation, but it’s also about access and who’s holding the keys. For so long, we as women’s basketball players have been asking, Pay attention. Who’s watching? We need better uniforms. We need sneakers that fit our feet.’ You know, [all] those stories and experiences that we’ve all had. And with a brand that is like Moolah Kicks, built by and for female ballers, we don’t have to ask anymore. We are prioritizing women’s basketball. We understand women’s basketball and we’re here igniting a wave and a culture that’s our own.

As a former athlete yourself and the founder of Moolah Kicks, do you have any advice for young women and girls in sports today?

My advice to young athletes would be to have fun with it, to hustle and to always be ready because you never know when your next opportunity is going to come. Looking for more information on the history of Moolah Kicks? Check out the full brand journey and more at DICK’S Sporting Goods.

Check out a few of our favorite Moolah Kicks styles!