Caitlin Clark, even before stepping in for a WNBA game, has tweaked the league’s history. She recently agreed upon a $28-million endorsement deal with Nike, which is supposed to span over 8-years. It is the most lucrative deal for a female player. Now, after bringing masses from her Iowa Hawkeyes journey, her Indiana Fever jersey is already sold out in all sizes! This promises a huge tectonic shift within the WNBA, possibly bringing the attention it has been craving all these years. However, a public backlash is set loose on Nike’s promise of signature shoes to Caitlin.

It has sparked a viral controversy, all in light of stars like A’ja Wilson and others not being handed a deal despite their ongoing contributions to put the league on the map. However, Stephen A. Smith ends all narratives, citing that Caitlin Clark’s Nike deal might be the best thing happening for the league. In a brief and quick vent on his podcast, Smith exclaims, “She deserves it!” while claiming that Clark will spark a revolution in women’s sporting world.

“All of a sudden, we gon see A’ja Wilson, she may get some more shine coz she’s that girl. Diana Taurasi will get more shine because we know what she brings to the table. Ionescu, she’s going to get more shine.” As Smith urges the fans to look at the bigger picture, he indicates that the potential change will be a leap over all discriminatory elements, uniquely revolving simply around the betterment of women athletes.

With that, Stephen A. asks the fans and athletes to “mimic” Dawn Staley’s gesture of praising Clark’s impact on women’s basketball right after winning the NCAA championship against her.

Nike’s offer radiates that brands will bank on Caitlin Clark, eventually

Caitlin’s endorsement deal with Nike was a sure-shot decision, making the global brand a front-runner within the WNBA space. It potentially acts as a separator within women’s basketball, which is slowly being narrowed by brands in the NBA. However, the inclination for a record-making figure was something that several brands frowned upon.

As soon as Clark’s representatives announced a minimum $3 million deal per year as the base of any type of deal in February, Puma revoked their leaning to acquire the star. Moreover, Adidas, ignoring Clark’s camp’s requirements, offered a mere $6 million deal spanning over 4 years ($1.5 million per year).

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However, Stephen Curry-led Under Armour pitched in a $16 million offer, marking a greater contract than Nike on a per-year scale. The brand also offered a potential signature shoe. However, Caitlin chose to nurture the already established bond with Nike from 2022. “I grew up watching Nike athletes across all sports play their game,” she said, signifying her reliance on the industry-leading company.

With that, even though slowly, just like Nike, fans and athletes might soon follow Smith’s outlined path of WNBA’s glory. Nike didn’t have a signature shoe planned for Clark initially, but chose to focus on the future, seeing her be the potential face of the late Kobe Bryant’s line. They will now reap rewards for their preemptive appreciation, just like Stephen A. Smith hints can happen to everyone who supports the 22-year-old.