Even Caitlin Clark Would Envy A’ja Wilson’s $78 Million Privilege After Historic Nike Deal

Indiana Fever’s breakout star is raking in millions through endorsement deals. Among her most notable collaborations is her jaw-dropping $28 million contract with Nike. This eight-year partnership promised fans a highly anticipated signature shoe, fueling the buzz around Clark during her sensational WNBA debut season. However, months later, there’s been no update about her shoes, leaving fans scratching their heads. Even more so as three-time MVP, A’ja Wilson, continues to remain in the spotlight for the brand.

According to a recent post by Sole Retriever, Wilson was seen sporting her custom logo on a whole private jet. It is a logo that Nike helped curate through observations of her distinctive style, incredible performance, and unapologetic realness. Star-shaped, the logo also coincides with the Aces’ star’s inclusion of an ‘A’ in her signature. It was revealed in June this year and while CC’s fans await even some hints of her line, Wilson’s logo now made it to the private jet priced at around $78 million.

This also arrives just after reports confirmed a 6-year contract extension with the reigning MVP.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Alexa Philippou, the Aces’ star agreed to ‘one of the richest deals’ in women’s basketball. This development follows Wilson’s earlier announcement in May, where she joined Nike’s elite roster of signature athletes and revealed her upcoming shoe, “The A’One.” While fans are excited, they’ll have to wait a bit longer as the shoes are scheduled to hit shelves in Spring 2025, just ahead of the next WNBA season.

Wilson’s new deal puts her in the upper echelon of WNBA endorsement earners, alongside other big names like Caitlin Clark, USC phenom JuJu Watkins, and Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu. Watkins renewed her multiyear contract with the brand in October. Meanwhile, Ionescu has been making waves with her second signature shoe, which has gained popularity even among NBA players. Wilson was a little late to receive the signature deal, as young stars often made the news, but looks like Nike is now going all-out on their star.

Despite dominating on the court for the Fever and securing one of the biggest endorsement deals in women’s basketball, Clark’s signature shoe has yet to see the light of day. Fans were initially excited about the April announcement, but with January 2025 around the corner, Nike’s lack of updates has left many confused.

via Getty

According to reports, Nike has prioritized creating Wilson’s signature shoe before turning its attention to Clark. Given Wilson’s incredible resume—three MVP awards, two WNBA championships, her status as arguably the league’s best player, and yet void of a signature shoe —it’s understandable why she would have been given precedence.

That said, Nike’s decision has sparked mixed reactions. While Wilson’s dominance makes her a deserving choice, many fans believe Clark’s rising popularity and marketability make her shoe equally important. The delay has raised questions about whether Nike’s strategy will pay off in the long run.

For now, all eyes are on Wilson as she gears up to debut “The A’One” in 2025. As for Clark, fans will have to keep waiting, though it’s clear her time in the spotlight is far from over.