Curry Brand entered a long-term partnership with Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning in June 2026. Stephen Curry and Li-Ning said they would work together on performance products, brand development, sports culture, and programs for younger athletes.
Curry Brand is still Stephen Curry’s athlete-led brand. Li-Ning is its new sportswear partner after Curry and Under Armour announced their separation in November 2025.
Is Curry Brand owned by Li-Ning?
The public announcement calls the arrangement a long-term partnership based on brand co-creation. It does not say that Li-Ning purchased Stephen Curry’s entire company or trademark portfolio.
The careful description is:
- Stephen Curry leads Curry Brand;
- Li-Ning is the long-term footwear and apparel partner;
- the two sides will co-create products and brand programs.
Terms such as ownership, licensing, manufacturing, and distribution should not be treated as interchangeable unless the companies disclose those details.
What happened to Curry Brand and Under Armour?
Under Armour and Stephen Curry announced their separation in November 2025. Under Armour said the Curry 13 would be the final Curry Brand shoe made within their partnership, with additional colorways and apparel continuing through October 2026.
That transition period means shoppers may see legitimate Under Armour Curry products and a new Li-Ning partnership at the same time. The logo or athlete name alone does not establish which company made a particular product.
Check the product page, release date, seller, and manufacturer information on the exact item.
What will Li-Ning and Curry work on?
Li-Ning’s announcement identifies three broad areas:
- performance product development across multiple categories;
- sports-culture initiatives;
- programs intended to engage and support younger athletes.
The announcement confirms the partnership direction, but it does not provide a complete international release calendar for every future Curry product. Retail availability should be confirmed through current official channels.
Is Curry Brand the same as Way of Wade?
No. Way of Wade is Li-Ning’s basketball line developed with Dwyane Wade. Curry Brand is Stephen Curry’s separate athlete-led brand.
Both can sit within Li-Ning’s wider basketball strategy without becoming the same brand or product family. Jimmy Butler also has Li-Ning signature products, which are separate again.
Why Li-Ning is a Chinese brand
Olympic gymnast Li Ning founded the company in Beijing in 1990. Li Ning Company Limited is publicly traded in Hong Kong, and the founder remains executive chairman and joint chief executive officer.
The company sells footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories under the Li-Ning name and participates in additional sports businesses and joint ventures. Its country of origin is China even when a specific product is sold or manufactured in another market.
What buyers should check
During the transition from Under Armour to Li-Ning:
- verify which company and seller are named on the product page;
- check whether the model is an older Under Armour release or a later Li-Ning collaboration;
- use the regional size chart;
- confirm warranty, return shipping, and authorized retail status;
- avoid listings that promise an unreleased model without an official page.
The partnership is real, but that does not make every marketplace listing using Curry’s name official.
Sources
- Li-Ning announces the Stephen Curry and Curry Brand partnership
- NBA report on the Li-Ning agreement
- Under Armour and Stephen Curry announce their separation
- Li-Ning company overview
- Li-Ning founder and management
Partnership details reviewed July 20, 2026.