News that Fever new signing Caitlin Clark is reportedly close to an eight-figure shoe deal with Nike sparked some keyboard warriors on Wednesday.
Many took aim at Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson — a two-time champion and one of the faces of the WNBA, who is also a Nike athlete — after she posted a biblical scripture, “Psalm 37:7,” on X . following the buzz around Clark.
This Bible verse contains a message about being patient with the success of others.
Wilson silenced a critic in a separate post after accusing her of “hating” Clark, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft and the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I, men’s or women’s.
“The jealousy in the wnba is crazy!!!!!! Caitlin is about to bring a new level of viewership to your league and you hate her??? the person wrote to Wilson, who replied: “lol, no one is jealous of the bookmaker!
“I have no reason to be lol, I really wish the best to all 143 (players in the league)! Our league is tough as hell, so thriving and staying in it consistently… is huge! So please stop with this jealousy stuff.
In response to another X user who said, “Everyone Googles Scripture,” Wilson wrote, “Hahaha, that’s true! In other words, you can’t get upset when God is in control.
Wilson, a New York Times bestselling author, does not yet have a signature shoe with Nike.
The former first overall pick in the 2018 draft out of South Carolina – she led the Gamecocks to an NCAA title the year before – is a two-time WNBA MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, MVP of the finals and three-time all-WNBA selection.
Clark, meanwhile, is close to closing an eight-figure endorsement deal with Nike, which includes a signature shoe deal, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday — two days after she was drafted by The Fever .
“I meeeaaan, I could have a shoe before @_ajawilson22 at this rate,” Aces goalie Sydney Colson, who is also a comedian, wrote on X.
Wilson responded with a bunch of crying and laughing emojis: “Sydney!! »
In another article, Wilson wrote: “Always remember that what is delayed is not denied. »
Wilson not having a signature shoe contract has been a point of discussion within the WNBA. Some of the other faces of the league in Liberty, stars Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart, both have one with Nike.
Some have argued that Wilson deserves a shoe with Nike before Clark, who has yet to play a game in the WNBA.
Clark signed a NIL deal with Nike in October 2022, and his contract ended after his basketball career at Iowa – where the former All-American point guard led the Hawkeyes to NCAA championship seasons in consecutive games in 2023 and 2024, but fell short to LSU and South Carolina, respectively.
Clark became a household name at Iowa during her senior year thanks to her elite shooting and passing prowess – and played a major role in the domination of women’s college basketball.
The 22-year-old Iowa native also reportedly received “significant offers” from Under Armor and Adidas, industry sources told The Athletic.
The news came amid heated debate over Clark’s WNBA salary from celebrities, politicians and morning show hosts.
Clark is set to make $338,056 over four seasons with the Fever, earning $76,535 during his rookie campaign, according to Spotrac.
The Gatorade athlete has a valuation (NIL) of $3.4 million and sponsorship deals with a State Farm, among many other brands.
New York Post
