Nike & Caitlin Clark Allegedly Close To An Eight-Figure Contract
The WNBA salary of Caitlin Clark with the Indiana Fever has received a lot of attention.
It seems Nike has her taken care of
Clark is reportedly close to signing an eight-figure contract with Nike as part of an endorsement agreement that will include a signature sneaker, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
There were no disclosed numbers. Although she will receive $338,056 over four years from the WNBA, her expected contract with Nike will be far larger. In his rookie year, Clark’s base pay will be $76,535.00. The WNBA‘s jointly bargained rookie compensation structure included this amount, which was negotiated years before Clark turned professional.
Given that Clark became a multi-million dollar brand at the University of Iowa when he was a standout player, the wage figures are startling. Her rise to prominence as one of the best playmakers in college basketball and the all-time top scorer helped the Hawkeyes win back-to-back national titles.
Additionally, it helped Iowa’s final game versus South Carolina generate 18.7 million viewers, almost four million more than the men’s championship between Purdue and UConn. These record-breaking numbers were also a result of it. At the WNBA Draft on Monday, the ratings extravaganza continued as Clark, the No. 1 pick by the Fever, led a procession of budding talent.
Watch: Caitlin Clark Joins The Pat McAfee Show After Becoming The #1 Pick In The WNBA Draft
Compared to the established value that many of her rookie teammates, including Clark, created during their college careers, their pay are not commensurate. For the majority of their money, Clark and other players will probably turn to endorsements while the WNBA figures out how to make the most of that value and eventually return it to the players.
Because of a rumored bidding war for her endorsement, Clark stands to gain wealthily. Clark reportedly received “sizable offers” from Under Armour and Adidas as well, which Charania claims she seems prepared to decline in favor of Nike. As to the article, negotiations with all three firms were observed by Golden State Warriors player Stephen Curry, who also has a signature shoe with Under Armour.
As you are undoubtedly aware if you watched any basketball on TV in March, Clark already has endorsement deals with Panini, Gatorade, and State Farm in addition to this one.
