Any drama regarding Caitlin Clark’s next step in her basketball career ended when the Indiana Fever landed the top pick in the WNBA draft.
But the same couldn’t be said for her shoe deal, as perhaps the biggest star in women’s basketball history was part of an intense battle between some of the biggest shoe companies.
Ultimately, Clark is in the running for an eight-year contract that could be worth $28 million and a signature shoe, according to the Wall Street Journal.
That came after Clark took women’s hoops to new heights, with record television ratings based largely on her popularity as the most prolific scorer in the history of the sport.
Clark’s previous deal with Nike was signed in 2022 and expired after last season — and after the six-foot Clark established herself as not only the most well-known women’s college hoopster, but arguably the most successful player in basketball most popular varsity – male or female – last season.
Negotiations reached a feverish pace, according to the Wall Street Journal, during NBA All-Star weekend in mid-February, when Clark’s representatives from Excel Sports Management met with brands like Adidas, Under Armor and Puma — in addition to Nike — and they said they were looking for a $3 million-a-year deal as a starting point.
At the time, Clark had not yet declared for the WNBA draft, but it was clear she would be the sport’s brightest star again next year — whether it was still in college of Iowa or as a professional.
In fact, according to the report, some executives thought Clark would be more popular if she stayed one more year at Iowa rather than going to the WNBA.
But Clark’s performance this season makes her a star even in the WNBA next season.
Yet, according to the report, Puma balked at the $3 million starting point and left the negotiations. They already have Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty on the roster with her own signature shoe.
A Zoom call involving Clark, his representatives and Adidas left the company “surprised by how engaged, curious and well-prepared Clark — who studied marketing at Iowa — was on the call, said the newspaper.
But their offer of four years and $6 million fell far short of the $3 million per year mark.
Under Armor included its client, Stephen Curry, in its bid to acquire Clark, The Athletic reported, and agreed to a four-year, $16 million deal that included a signature shoe.
However, no one could compete with Nike, which could have Clark’s future in the Olympics in mind.
The eight-year deal would last through the next three Olympics, starting this summer in Paris, as well as in 2028 in Los Angeles and 2032 in Brisbane, Australia.
The U.S. roster for this summer’s Olympics has not yet been announced.
Sabrina Ionescu, also of the Liberty, reportedly received a $24 million contract from Nike, but injuries would prevent her from getting it all.
New York Post
