Caitlin Clark made an announcement that few expected at the LPGA Annika Pro-Am. When there were absolutely no murmurs of a new Caitlin Clark PE coming out anytime soon, Clark revealed one is actually in development: her Golf PEs. “My newest golf PEs are a work in progress. I need them to be perfect, so that’s why I’m not wearing them right now,” Clark explained while detailing her outfit at the event. At the same time, another one of her PEs, the Caitlin Clark x Nike Kobe 6 Protro Light Armory Blue PE, was flying off the shelves. 

Clark’s Indiana Fever connection was just cemented on a new Nike Kobe 5 Protro PE that was released to the public, and she’s been spotted with special pairs of the Kobe 5 and Kobe 6. That includes a rookie of the year Kobe 5, a Kobe 6 inspired by her dog Bella. However, the public has had limited drops. In one of those, the Light Armory Blue colorway was released, and it was a hit. 

According to JustFreshKicks, the colorway sold out in under a minute. Not really a surprise, considering she is the face of the league and the most popular WNBA athlete. Note that “in under a minute” is unverified, but it’s confirmed that they sold out in quick time. According to YouGov data, Clark is the third most popular basketball player, only behind LeBron James and Steph Curry. While that level of stardom was among the reasons for this quick sell, it is also a beautiful shoe. 

The Kobe 6 keeps its signature faux reptile skin upper intact, dressed in a slick light armory blue that dominates the silhouette. Bold Baltic blue pops light up the Swoosh and Kobe sheath logos, while matching light armory tones carry through the laces, tongue, sockliner, and the semi-translucent heel overlay. While these two are compelling reasons behind this quick draw, there was another one that fans alleged, along with a list of complaints to Nike. 

Fans Criticize Nike As They Keep Caitlin Clark Drops Limited

“Weird, didn’t even go the 10 minutes like normal. First protro 6 I’ve lost,” complained a fan. For more context, this shoe was sold via three retailers: Nike SNKRS app, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Foot Locker.  There was a different method for buyers to try and grab the limited sale. For SNKRs, there was a draw. Fans had 10 minutes to enter it, which the fan is referencing. 

But the shoe was in so much demand that it did not even last the full 10 minutes. For Dick’s and Footlocker, there was a kind of raffle for each. If a fan were selected, he/she would have to collect it in-store (locations preselected by fans). In the same breath, another fan wrote, “I was in class and never even got the chance :(” For player-exclusive drops like these, many fans are left without a shoe. Clark’s earlier Indiana Fever colorway, that released in June, had also sold out in minutes, leaving many fans complaining. And they didn’t even release it beyond the US. 

“They don’t even sell to international fans 🙄🙄🙄 @Nike do better” wrote a fan. This was a US exclusive release. That meant many Caitlin Clark fans outside the country did not even have the chance to enter the lucky draw. Clark especially has a huge fanbase outside the US, and Nike knows that. In July, Nike put up a billboard all the way in the Philippines. At their New York Liberty game in Indiana this season, 5 Caitlin Clark fans from Hong Kong attended just for Clark. 

The 12000-piece number remains as rumored, but that is a popular marketing choice from Nike. The brand did it with Michael Jordan back in the day and against with Clark. Her Indiana Fever Kobe 5 Protro had only 15000 pieces released (allegedly). By creating limited-edition releases within these signature lines, Nike taps into consumer behavior, driving demand through exclusivity and scarcity. While that is well and good, it leads to many disgruntled fans.

“Fans from nearly 30 countries are purchasing tickets to WNBA games on StubHub, which reflects a growing appetite for women’s basketball worldwide,” StubHub spokesperson Adam Budelli said in May. Maybe Nike was testing the waters with a domestic release and going worldwide with it. However, the company needs to take note of this as the Indiana Fever PE was also US-only. 

“If NIKE realized what they had in CC, the entire Company would be saved.  Who is f****** running this POS shop?” wrote a frustrated fan. This mostly stems from the fact that Clark hasn’t gotten her signature shoe yet. Yes, it’s in the works and is expected in 2026, but for many fans, that is too late. Since it’s expected to bring in a huge business, Nike and Clark are trying to get it perfect, according to sneaker insider Nick DePaula. Nike has made Clark their signature athlete already, with a logo. It will be interesting to see how her Golf PE will be received by the fans. (if it’s released to them at all)