Caitlin Clark lands $28 million, 8-year Nike deal after outcry over WNBA salary
Caitlin Clark reportedly scored a $28 million deal with Nike after fans became outraged over her less-than-impressive WNBA rookie salary.
The No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft landed a historic deal with the athletic footwear and apparel brand that spans eight years and includes a signature shoe, sources with direct knowledge of the agreement told the Wall Street Journal.
The collaboration marks the largest sponsorship contract for a female basketball player.
The website reported that the basketball player, 22, had explored deals with Under Armour and Adidas in February before landing on Nike.
Under Armour reportedly offered Clark a deal of $16 million over four years while Adidas pitched $6 million over four years. Both deals would have featured a signature shoe.
Clark was also in talks with Puma until the brand backed out upon hearing that bidding would start at $3 million per year.
The original name, image and likeness deal Clark signed in 2022 officially expired at the end of the 2023-24 college basketball season, making way for the new fashion deal.
Last week, outrage ensued when fans discovered that the record-breaking athlete signed a $338,000 four-year contract with the Indiana Fever.
The salary breakdown showed Clark will receive just $76,535 in her first year in the WNBA.
Clark famously finished out her college basketball career with the Iowa Hawkeyes as the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer in history and is regarded as one of the greatest collegiate players of all time.
She also smashed ESPN viewership records
when she faced off against Angel Reese-led LSU Tigers in the March Madness Elite Eight matchup earlier this month.
Leave a Reply