Caitlin Clark, the top scorer in NCAA Division I history and the No. 1 WNBA draft pick, is reportedly signing an eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike.
The deal includes a signature shoe and would make it the richest sponsorship contract for a women’s basketball player.
Every offer Caitlin Clark got before signing with Nike 💰 @brkicks pic.twitter.com/fOS0DCmsV8
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 23, 2024
Other brands like Under Armour, Adidas, and Puma were also interested in signing Clark, but Nike emerged as the front-runner.
Clark’s original name, image, and likeness deal expired in 2024. During her college career, Clark earned about $3 million in NIL money with endorsements from State Farm and Gatorade, among others.
Clark’s agents were working on the Nike deal even before she decided to turn pro. She was drafted by the Indiana Fever and will earn a rookie salary of $76,000.
Clark has been instrumental in increasing women’s basketball interest, drawing record viewership for both her college and WNBA games.
The Nike contract is a testament to the sportswear giant’s commitment to Clark, who is expected to have a long and successful career in the WNBA and potentially participate in multiple Olympics.
The negotiations for Clark’s shoe contract were highly competitive, with brands vying for her commitment by offering historic deals.
Despite some initial doubts, industry experts believe that Clark’s marketability and impact on brands make her a worthwhile investment for Nike.
Ads featuring Clark during NCAA women’s basketball games have shown to be particularly effective.
Clark’s success and endorsement potential have solidified her position as a prominent figure in women’s basketball.
Fans reacted as follows:
Should’ve signed with under armour
— JohnnyCage🕶️ (@BlaccTaratino_) April 23, 2024
4/$16M would’ve been a great move.
Could’ve resigned in 4 years with a reassessed market-value, rather than reassessing in 8.
+ from a marketing perspective, having the two best shooters in professional basketball under UA would’ve been HUGE (Steph Curry + Caitlin Clark).
— brandon (@HBrandon08) April 23, 2024
Under Armour/Curry Brand would’ve been the best choice, in my opinion. Nike has the best marketing, but UA’s sneaker performance is highly underrated, and they would’ve treated her like a goddess since there’s no other competition over there. Nike has Sabrina, and A’ja up next.
— GOWIE (@DaKidGowie) April 23, 2024
Her Nike deal is worth more than the entire combined salary of every team in the WNBA. That’s crazy
— GIFT (@Giftaveli) April 23, 2024
I can tell y’all right now that Nike is making a lot more than 3.5 million per year on this signing 💀 — she should’ve waited for more
— Knicktopia (@Knicktopia) April 23, 2024
White folks be passing up deals like they got it like that.. im taking the first milly thrown my way
— SSJ4 goku 💫🐐 (@Dro2H) April 24, 2024
Them Forehead 5s will sell out hahaha 🤣, but the hype will die down once the WNBA content gets no views, smaller basketball, smaller courts, yet Rim same height as the men.
Well glad she got the bag but the WNBA will flop
— CAPS ONLY COMICS (@Mo_htth) April 24, 2024
