Caitlin Clark Fans Declare War Against Nike’s ‘Mistreatment’ as Petition Begins for WNBA Star’s Future
Caitlin Clark is well known for her fiery play on the basketball court and her calm, fun-loving personality off it. But she has got a fandom that is rather fierce and demands the world take notice of everything she deserves, especially when her rivals seem to be getting ahead. Now, they’ve taken their support to a whole new level, launching a petition to voice their displeasure with Nike’s treatment of Clark.
The petition is loud and clear: fans want her signature shoe, and they want it now. A tweet that kicked it all off reads, “If you are not happy in any way about how Nike has been treating Caitlin Clark with her signature shoe rollout, or should I say lack thereof, or Nike’s horrible treatment of Caitlin Clark in general, please sign and share this petition. We see you @Nike.”
According to the petition, CC’s fans feel outraged that Nike hasn’t been more proactive in promoting Clark, one of the “most marketable female athletes on the planet.” With little information about her signature shoe and almost no promotion, fans take it personally, calling out the brand for what they see as a missed opportunity.
The Indiana Fever star’s relationship with Nike started back in college when she signed a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal in 2022. That deal expired at the end of the 2023-24 season, paving the way for a new contract.
And this time, it wasn’t just any contract. This new deal was set to be the richest sponsorship for a female basketball player. Major sports brands like Under Armour and Adidas were all in the mix, reportedly offering the hooper huge sums, including four-year deals worth millions. But Clark chose Nike, signing an eight-year, $28 million contract with the brand that promised her a signature shoe. Then, she went on to make her WNBA debut, lead the Indiana Fever to the playoffs, and win the Rookie of the Year title, but the shoe hasn’t been launched yet.
Considering A’ja Wilson’s was lined up for the upcoming year, fans requested for some merch at the least. And the brand did release a t-shirt with her records printed on it, but fans believe it’s ‘mediocre.’ So, it has been a long going disappointment among the fans of the star whose W jersey sales contributed to 500% increase this season.
But what really lit the fire under Clark’s fanbase for the petition now? It all came to a head when Reebok dropped a major announcement that definitely raised some eyebrows.
Angel’s signature shoe release push Caitlin Clark’s fans over the edge
We know that Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are the young faces of the W, and the rivalry between their fandoms dates back to their college days. The Chicago Sky star just extended her contract with Reebok, and it came with some exciting news: she’s getting her own signature shoe, which will be out by 2026.
During her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, the 22-year-old shared the big announcement, saying, “I’m extremely excited to let you guys know that we are officially coming out with a Reebok by Angel signature shoe!” Reese also mentioned that the design process was already underway.
via Getty
Reese’s partnership with Reebok has certainly paid off. She became the brand’s first-ever major NIL signing and the first athlete signed under Shaquille O’Neal’s leadership, now serving as Reebok Basketball’s president. Just a year after their partnership kicked off, Reese’s collaborative footwear collection, Reebok by Angel, hit the market in August 2024. Also, her first Reebok performance basketball sneaker, Reebok Engine A, debuted on the court against none other than Clark’s Indiana Fever.
And now, with Reebok setting the bar high with Reese’s signature shoe release, the pressure is on Nike. Fans are feeling the heat, especially when you consider that Clark’s shoe deal was supposed to be a highlight of her contract. So, while the Lady Tigers alumna is celebrating her success, we will have to see when Nike makes the big move.
