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There aren't many athletes with as much national draw as Caitlin Clark.
The 6-0 guard broke multiple viewership records during Iowa's March Madness run that ended in a loss to undefeated South Carolina in the championship game.
Since joining the Indiana Fever as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark has continued to attract fans to tune into her preseason games. She's the most exciting women's basketball player the world has seen in a long time, perhaps ever.
And Nike is capitalizing on her fame. The footwear and apparel titan has already worked with Clark during her Iowa Hawkeyes days, but the two are set to tie the knot with a massive deal that includes a signature shoe.
The Sporting News breaks down the details of Clark's contract and when to expect Clark's first shoe to release.
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Caitlin Clark Nike deal
Just days after the Fever drafted Clark with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Shams Charania reported the standout guard will be signing an endorsement deal with Nike that includes a signature shoe.
The reported deal will be worth at least $20 million, per Charania. The Wall Street Journal said the total is expected to be around $28 million.
Clark and Nike had been working together since 2022 when she signed an NIL deal with the company. Her new deal is a lucrative endorsement — a major upgrade from her previous deal.
As Clark went pro, multiple shoe and apparel companies contacted the star in hopes of striking an exclusive deal. Under Armor and adidas were finalists, but Clark opted to remain with Nike. Under Armor's pitch included Clark being the new face of the Curry Brand.
MORE: Caitlin Clark signs $28 million Nike deal
The familiarity and continuity between the two may have played a role in the eight-figure endorsement. Nike regularly promoted Clark throughout her college journey, celebrating her for breaking the NCAA's all-time scoring record.
It takes a once-in-a-generation player to break a record that’s stood for generations.
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) March 3, 2024
Congratulations to @caitlinclark22 — the new owner of the all-time NCAA scoring record. pic.twitter.com/bgbmu4cmC8
Clark even had her own catchphrase with Nike for one ad, "It was never a long shot." The phrase and Clark were featured in a large display in the streets of Iowa.
MORE: Don't be surprised if Caitlin Clark is a WNBA All-Star as a rookie
When will Caitlin Clark's signature shoe release?
Aside from the initial reports from Charania and The Wall Street Journal, there hasn't been much discussion on Clark's signature shoe timeline.
That being said, it's likely a couple of years away. The process is a delicate craft that requires input from Clark and the Nike team, not to mention manufacturing millions of pairs and the marketing campaign.
A'ja Wilson, a two-time WNBA MVP with the Las Vegas Aces, just announced her signature shoe with Nike is on the way after beginning the process in 2023. Wilson's shoe is expected to be released in spring 2025.
Under this two-year time frame, Clark's shoe could hit stores sometime in 2026-27. The one caveat in this timeline is that Clark and Nike have been partnered through an NIL deal since 2022 and could have had preliminary discussions regarding her signature shoe already.
If that were the case, the process would be well underway, but there are no reports that this is the situation.
MORE: Here's how you can buy Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever jersey
Caitlin Clark NIL deals
Clark racked up a lot of NIL deals as an Iowa Hawkeye. Here's the list, including the deal she inked with Nike in 2022.
Nike
Before signing her eight-figure endorsement deal with Nike, Clark worked with the company through an NIL contract.
Gatorade
Gatorade has been one of Clark's more popular NIL deals. She has her own commercial, "You Can Too," designed to inspire the next generation of athletes.
State Farm
State Farm and Caitlin Clark go hand-in-hand at this point, with Jake From State Farm present at the WNBA Draft and her Iowa games.
Clark has her own commercial with the insurance brand alongside Jimmy Butler and Reggie Miller.
Buick
Clark starred in Buick's "See Her Greatness" campaign prior to the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Bose
Clark inked a deal with Bose before the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Shoot-A-Way
Shoot-A-Way creates basketball shooting machines and signed Clark to a deal in 2022.
Hy-Vee
Clark partnered with Hy-Vee, a midwestern grocery chain, in 2021. This was one of the first deals that she signed, maintaining the partnership into 2024. She even has her own cereal brand, Caitlin's Crunch Time.
H&R Block
Clark signed a deal with H&R Block in 2022.
Panini America
The popular trading cards brand partnered with Clark in 2024. She became the first female athlete to sign an exclusive partnership with the company.
The Vinyl Studio
The Vinyl Studio was Clark's first NIL deal. It's a female-owned clothing company in Iowa.
