Caitlin Clark appears to be on the cusp of setting another record.
The most prolific scorer in NCAA Division I history and the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft will continue her association with Nike by signing a $28 million contract that spans eight years and includes a signature shoe.
The Wall Street Journal and The Athletic reported the pending deal, citing unnamed people familiar with the negotiations between the sportswear giant and Clark’s agents.
Excel Sports Management, which represents Clark, declined to comment. Nike did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
Clark’s initial name, image and likeness deal, signed in 2022, expired at the end of the 2023-24 season.
The new deal would be the richest sponsorship contract for a women’s basketball player.
Under Armour and Adidas also participated in contract discussions with Clark’s team in February, according to the WSJ and Athletic. Puma also showed some interest but walked away when told the bidding would start at $3 million per year, according to the WSJ.
Clark received offers of $16 million over four years from Under Armour and $6 million over four years from Adidas, with both including a signature shoe, according to the WSJ.
Clark earned about $3 million in NIL money at Iowa with deals she has had with State Farm, Gatorade and others, according to On3.com.
Clark’s agents were working on the new Nike contract even before she announced she would turn pro instead of return to Iowa for a fifth season under the COVID-19 exemption offered to players in college during the 2020 pandemic season.
After averaging 31.6 points and leading the Hawkeyes to a second straight national championship game, Clark was drafted No. 1 by the Indiana Fever on April 15. She’ll earn a $76,000 salary as a rookie.
She’s been the main driver for the dramatic uptick in women’s basketball interest with her mix of deep 3-point shots, flashy thread-the-needle passes and overall court presence. A women’s basketball-record 18.9 million viewers watched Iowa’s loss to South Carolina in the NCAA title game, and a WNBA-record 2.45 million watched the draft.
Of the Fever’s 40 games this season, 36 will be nationally televised, and ticket sales have skyrocketed around the league.
Her marketability is enhanced by her polished performances in media settings, and her surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live” two weeks ago was widely acclaimed and exposed her to an even wider audience.
The reported eight-year contract with Nike shows the sportswear giant’s commitment. At 22, Clark could play well over a decade in the WNBA and she could be on the U.S. roster for the Olympics in Paris this year, in Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane, Australia, in 2032.
News
Don’t trust home remedies from video mimicking untrustworthy ‘naturopath’ Barbara O’Neill
IN SHORT: Short videos circulating on Facebook with “health secrets” for slowing down ageing contain nothing but unreliable home “remedies”. What’s more, these videos are unusual in that…
Just five hours after a newborn was heartbreakingly abandoned, Dr. Barbara O’Neill stepped forward with compassion, vowing to become the child’s guardian and cover every expense until the child reaches 18 years of age.
A story of pure compassion and humanity has captured the hearts of millions. Dr. Barbara O’Neill, a well-respected pediatrician and humanitarian, has stepped forward to change the…
Consider Planting Aloe Vera in Your Garden: 10 Compelling Reasons Why You Should
Consider Planting Aloe Vera in Your Garden: 10 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Looking to add something new to your garden? Consider aloe vera. This hardy, low-maintenance plant…
Who is Barbara O’Neill’s daughter and what happened to her?
Barbara O’Neill is renowned for natural health and wellness. Her holistic lifestyle and alternative medicine practice have inspired many to embrace natural healing. Barbara O’Neill’s daughter has…
What happened to Barbara O’Neill after getting banned in Australia?
Barbara O’Neill has become a polarising figure in the wellness community, particularly following her ban from providing health services in Australia. She has long advocated for unconventional…
Since I’ve been using them, my garden has produced spectacular fruit in this way! The ancient remedy that never fails
Since I’ve been using them, my garden has produced spectacular fruit in this way! The ancient remedy that never fails Ever since I incorporated them into my…
End of content
No more pages to load