Clark Fever is never really over. And not cooling down any sooner. Practice, game, shopping, or even for a scan, she’s signing, waving, and clicking. Because Fans demand. Even when she is out of action, she is still the subject of almost every conversation. After months of silence from Nike, they finally started to put some effort into marketing Caitlin Clark as they dropped a player edition of the Kobe V Protro in an Indiana Fever colorway of Midnight Navy, Bright Crimson, and University Gold. And it was time for an update now! 

The player herself had been wearing their colorway for months, but the brand decided to drop the sneaker for the public in a limited capacity. Originally released in 2009 by Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, the Kobe 5 is known for its relaxed Air Zoom unit and EKG-inspired traction pattern on the rubber outsole for on-court grip. The shoes sold out within minutes, further underscoring Clark’s popularity. Now, Nike is looking to ride that wave as they have now released a first look at another colorway for Clark’s Kobe 6 Protro. 

Kicks Finder just unveiled the first look at the highly anticipated Caitlin Clark x Nike Kobe 6 Protro in the eye-catching “Light Armory Blue” colorway. The sneaker features a vibrant Light Armory Blue upper that blends smooth materials with bold, scale-like textures, delivering a striking and modern aesthetic. Accents in crisp White and energetic Baltic Blue add sharp contrast and visual flair, while the iconic Swooshes pop on both sides for unmistakable style.

In a July press conference last year, Clark expressed her love for the Kobe 6s as she said, “I’m a Kobe person, everybody knows that. It’s the best shoe, it’s not even close. I probably like the Kobe 6s the best, which are the ones I have on right now. I like the 5s as well, but the 6s are kind of my thing.” Built for performance, the shoe includes a responsive cushioned midsole and a reinforced heel clip for stability and support. This standout colorway was Caitlin Clark’s go-to sneaker throughout her WNBA rookie season, including the historic game where she shattered the league’s single-season assist record.

Set to officially launch on October 1, 2025, the Caitlin Clark x Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Light Armory Blue” will be available at select Nike Basketball retailers and on Nike.com. Originally rumored at $190, the final retail price is set to be $200. The brand hopes to carry out this release smoothly after facing some complaints last time around from former NBA All-Stars.

The brand is taking steps to ramp up Clark’s branding, as the brand recently unveiled one of the biggest ads any sportsperson has seen in downtown Indianapolis. The brand featured Clark in an ad at a JW Marriott, which features a photo of Clark’s back while she’s taking one of her trademark logo threes and covers nearly the entire building.

“From downtown in my town,” the ad reads, referring to the popular commentary when Clark takes shots from beyond the arc. The ad also says, “Welcome to Indianapolis” in the bottom left corner and Nike logos in the bottom right corner. According to sports photographer Bri Lewerke, Clark’s ad is the “largest ever sports graphic installed on the JW Marriott.”

Caitlin Clark is steadily taking over the sports world, and Nike finds itself at a pivotal moment. With her first signature shoe rumored to be released next year, the brand has a major opportunity to elevate her to new heights. Clark’s star power continues to rise, and Nike is positioned to drive that momentum. Up to this point, the focus had been on A’ja Wilson, whose signature shoe and branding campaign took center stage. Now that phase is complete, the attention appears to be shifting. Fans have been waiting for this moment, and it seems their wish is finally coming true.

Caitlin Clark might be one of the most impactful athletes in B-ball history

The Caitlin Clark effect is undeniable. Since entering the WNBA, she has almost single-handedly brought millions of new fans to the league. While the WNBA has been building toward a breakthrough for years, Clark accelerated that progress by at least five years. Her arrival has transformed the Indiana Fever into one of the hottest tickets in sports, with attendance tripling and arenas now regularly packed. Television ratings have skyrocketed, rising sharply and reflecting her massive appeal. Her impact is unlike anything the league has seen before.

Incredibly, she is only in her second year as a pro, yet already being compared to some of the greatest names in sports history. “In my lifetime, we had Muhammad Ali, we had Michael Jordan, we had Tiger Woods, and to me, it’s early, but we have Caitlin Clark,” said John Kosner, a former ESPN executive turned industry consultant. “People who don’t care and don’t follow the sport that she plays (in) have been driven not just to watch, but to watch avidly.”

Clark is worth more than a billion to the W. Her economic impact across various earning aspects like merchandise, ticket sales, etc is predicted to cross a billion dollars, and she is still earning just shy of $80,000 in WNBA salary earnings. “It’s hard to believe she’s not worth close to a billion to the league,” said one industry source. Her salary is around 0.02 percent of the Fever’s recent valuation by Forbes of $340 million. With the CBA negotiations around the corner, we can expect a bump in those numbers. 

It was not only Kosner who gushed on Clark’s stardom, but Veteran journalist Christine Brennan, whose book On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports, hits shelves this month, has seen it all. “I’ve been covering sports for years, and this is unprecedented,” Brennan told ABC News.

We can talk about the statistics all year, but what truly sets Caitlin Clark apart is the feeling she brings to the WNBA. Her numbers are outstanding, no doubt, but it is the emotional connection she creates with fans that puts her in a league of her own. Watching her play is more than just witnessing great basketball. It is an experience that inspires and excites fans. That kind of impact is a major reason behind her extraordinary popularity.

Other major stars, Ali, Jordan, and Woods, leveraged the sport to increase their popularity, while it is the opposite in the case of Clark. She is the reason the sport is experiencing a massive boom. So, Clark might be considered the most impactful athlete by many because of this key difference. 

Caitlin Clark’s rise is more than just a sports story. It is a cultural shift. She has not only elevated her own profile but has changed the course of an entire league. Her presence is reshaping how women’s basketball is viewed, marketed, and celebrated. With a billion-dollar impact on the horizon and a signature shoe expected soon, Clark is not simply building a legacy. She is shaping the future of the sport. With Kobe Bryant‘s footsteps.