Caitlin Clark Achieves Remarkable WNBA Feat Despite Fever’s Loss to Storm
Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 WNBA draft pick, continues to make waves in the basketball world. Recently, she secured a multiyear partnership with Wilson, the official ball supplier of the WNBA since 2021. This deal is particularly significant as it makes Clark the first athlete since Michael Jordan to have a signature basketball collection with Wilson. The six-time NBA champion is believed to be the only other athlete to have developed such a collection with the brand.
Wilson has already released three different gold and white basketballs to honor various milestones in Clark’s college career. These basketballs, titled “Three Up,” “Record Breaker,” and “Crowd Maestro,” feature laser engravings of Clark’s signature movements from her time at Iowa, where she broke the NCAA Division I basketball all-time scoring record.
Clark expressed her excitement about the partnership, stating, “I think it is super special, and it’s been fun for me. I feel like I was just that young kid who had those basketballs that I would store in the garage. I’m just very lucky and fortunate to partner with Wilson to create something that everyone can enjoy. It connects with a lot of generations, and it’ll be fun to see kids walking around holding them.”
As part of her role as an ambassador, Clark will also test and advise Wilson on its basketball equipment. This collaboration adds to the millions Clark is already believed to be earning. Since her rise in the college ranks, Clark has earned about $3 million in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money at Iowa through deals with State Farm, Gatorade, Nike, and others.
In addition to her partnership with Wilson, Clark is also believed to have inked a historic deal with Nike last month. This deal is expected to be the richest sponsorship contract for a women’s basketball player. Clark’s initial NIL deal with Nike, signed in 2022, expired at the end of the 2023-24 season. Under Armour and Adidas also participated in contract discussions with Clark’s team, with offers of $16 million over four years from Under Armour and $6 million over four years from Adidas, both including a signature shoe.
Despite her off-court success, Clark remains focused on her on-court performance. She recently starred in her WNBA debut game for the Indiana Fever, scoring a team-high 21 points. Although the Fever lost 79-76 to the Dallas Wings, Clark put on an impressive display, scoring a deep 3-pointer for her first basket as a professional just a minute into the game. She led all first-half scorers with 16 points in 16 minutes and had a chance to send the game into overtime, but her three-point attempt from the right corner fell short as the buzzer sounded.
A sellout crowd of 6,521 people packed into College Park Center in Dallas to witness Clark’s first professional game. Reflecting on the experience, Clark said, “My biggest goal coming into tonight was to continue to be myself, play aggressive. I thought that’s what I did. I think there’s a lot to be proud of. The crowd was great all night. That’s what you expect with a sellout. Those are going to be the same for the crowds all year long. So whether they’re cheering for you or cheering against you, you’d better get used to it.”
The exhibition game against the Wings was the first of two for the Fever before Clark made her regular-season debut on May 14 against the Connecticut Sun. Despite the Fever’s 0-4 start to the 2024 WNBA season, Clark’s performance has been a bright spot for the team, and fans are eagerly anticipating her continued impact on the court.
Clark’s achievements and endorsements highlight her growing influence in the world of basketball. Her partnership with Wilson and potential historic deal with Nike are testaments to her talent and marketability. As she continues to excel in the WNBA, Clark’s star power is only expected to rise, making her a role model for aspiring athletes and a significant figure in women’s sports.
Source: The Daily Beast, Boardroom, WSJ, The Athletic
