On September 4th, 2025, Los Angeles-based celebrity tattoo artist Ganga announced a special collaboration with Nike. The most visible form of that partnership is a limited edition collection of shirts and hoodies featuring both the Ganga brand logo and the iconic Nike “Swoosh” that sold out almost instantly after it fell on September 10th.
Proceeds from the collaboration are now allocated to the growth of Ganga’s Tattoo Academy, which has two locations near his current studio in Los Angeles and Murcia, Spain. The statement “Nike will join Ganga Academy to support the school” met mixed reactions and confusion.
A vague statement claiming “support” and Nike’s willingness to provide “resources” in the tattoo field led him to conclude that Nike would either open his own tattoo school or start production of tattoo equipment along with regular sports equipment and athletics apparel.
Currently, no announcements have been released about Nike Tattoo School, tattoo artist “certificate” via Nike, or tattoo artist “certificate” that recognizes the tattoo equipment line.
Instead, this is probably an extension of Nike’s existing charity program, regularly investing in mentorship and skill building programs for youth.
Who is Ganga?
Ganga is one of the most famous celebrity tattoo artists and regularly collaborates with well-known clients such as Post Malone, Drake, and Liluuzibert.
“Painless” Anesthesia Tattoo
In recent years, he and his team have promoted their “no pine” experience, putting clients under general anesthesia and teams of tattoo artists have tattooed uninterruptedly in a single day session. Stars like Post Malone and Tyga got these “anesthetic tattoos.”
Fashion Crossover
Tattoos and fashion have remained close for decades, from high fashion runways to individual artists creating successful clothing lines.
Ganga’s fine lines and realism tattoo pieces attracted him attention in the fashion industry, where he began designing his own apparel, appeared at the Met Gala, and applied temporary tattoo designs to celebrities to complete the look of the red carpet.
With customers in the dual industry of music, fashion and sports (two of his most remeasurable clients are LeBron James and Kevin Durant, who have Nike’s custom footwear lines), Ganga has been positioned as an attractive partner in Nike’s recent initiative to fork as a “lifestyle brand” from sports performance gear to streetwear. Working with Ganga, Nike has access to tattoo subculture and new audiences.
Nike x Ganga collaboration
After dropping the limited edition apparel, Ganga announced a long-term partnership with Nike. This shows that the collection (and likely a limited apparel drop in the future) is directed towards supporting tattoo education through his existing tattoo academy, which currently offers a week or two face-to-face enhancement.
This is in line with Nike’s track record of partnering with similar education initiatives by providing cash injections for small projects.
Nike Optics and Charity Partnership
For Nike, the partnership with Ganga could potentially bring more profits through the program’s optics than revenue from the hype collection that is selling quickly.
Nike’s general reviews
Nike has been in hot water for years on suspicion of poor labor practices. Partnerships with programs focused on mentorship and skill development for young people and underrepresented groups have helped to improve their image as a philanthropic brand.
The current Nike collaboration includes Pensole Lewis College (PLC Detroit) and building a pipeline for underrated footwear and apparel designers. The IAIA Internships place Nike HQ Indigenous Art students for real-life industry experience. Jordan Brand Wings funds scholarships and educational channels for underserved youth. The Converse All Star Design team offers global creator mentorship and collaboration opportunities. Virgil Abloh/Nikelab has launched the Chicago Recreation Center, a community hub blend workshop, a workshop, mentorship and design culture.
Competition with Adidas
Like Nike, most other sports brands also diverge into streetwear and fashion. However, Nike is often seen as a step behind its category, especially compared to its biggest competitor, Adidas. In recent years, adidas has been recognized as strengthening the appeal of their design, especially when it comes to younger demographics.
Working with popular tattoo artists like Ganga may be part of Nike’s efforts to gain relevance as a streetwear brand. This is a similar move to the brand’s recent campaign with Travis Scott, highlighting fashion over sports performance.
Nike also defines “athlete” as vision for skating, dancing and more outside of “mainstream” television sports like soccer and basketball, so creativity and artistry are central aspects of sports.
By working with Ganga and supporting education programs through his academy, Nike will target the connections between Millennials (the most tattooed generation in history) and Generation Z.
Response from the tattoo community
The language surrounding Nike’s collaboration “promoting” or “legalizing” the tattoo industry has rubbed artists the wrong way.
In an industry that is already resisting external involvement, Nike’s entrance into the tattoo industry feels a bit forced and unwelcome, but it would not be jarring if Nike had planned to build a tattoo school in his own name.
