(IntegrityTimes.com) – Caitlin Clark, the 22-year-old WNBA player, has apparently signed a new endorsement deal with NIKE for $28 million that will cover the next eight years. Clark has already been representing NIKE, but her current contract expired at the end of the 2023-24 college season. Now that she has moved on from the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team and moved on to WNBA team Indiana Fever, she had to choose from various new offers but has decided to stay with NIKE.
An Iowa native from Des Moines, Clark is known for her record-breaking college women’s basketball career. Among her many awards she won the Big Ten Player of the Year award for three years running. Some have credited Clark with the uptick in public interest in women’s college basketball. She’s also made numerous well-received media appearances, along with a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live. Her technical skills at the game have been widely praised by industry analysts, with many mentioning her shooting range and passing abilities.
Her lucrative new deal with NIKE, which is believed to be the richest sponsorship contract for a WNBA player, will also include a signature shoe. Adidas and Under Armour were also in the running for Clark’s endorsements, offering $6 million over four years and $16 million over four years respectively. Both Adidas and Under Armour’s offers also included a signature shoe. Puma also seemed interested in Clark but walked away before making any formal offers.
After signing the deal, Clark told reporters that she had grown up feeling inspired by NIKE athletes performing at various sports. She added that she was humbled to represent NIKE and passionate about inspiring the next wave of athletes. Clark has worked with many brands during her basketball career already, including Buick, Bose, Gatorade, and State Farm. There is also some speculation that Clark will be representing the U.S. in the Olympics in Paris in 2024, in Los Angeles in 2028 and perhaps even Brisbane, Australia in 2032.
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