For basketball fans, especially those following women’s sports, Caitlin Clark has become nothing short of a phenomenon. Her talent on the court has transformed the game in ways no one could have predicted. Yet, despite being arguably the most marketable athlete in the WNBA, one thing has been conspicuously absent: her own signature shoe.
It’s a question that has been on the minds of fans for months: Why has Nike, the sportswear giant, not launched Caitlin Clark’s signature shoe yet? After all, her record-breaking performances, game-changing impact, and marketability make her one of the most valuable athletes in the world. When Caitlin signed her historic $28 million deal with Nike, fans were already envisioning the iconic “Caitlin Clark” shoes hitting stores. But as the months have passed, the anticipation has turned to frustration, especially with smaller players like Jacy Sheldon already getting their own signature shoes.
When Caitlin Clark signed with Nike in 2024, it seemed like a perfect match. Nike is known for partnering with athletes who embody excellence, and Caitlin, who had dominated college basketball and gone on to make an immediate splash in the WNBA, seemed to fit the mold. The deal was groundbreaking. At $28 million over 8 years, it was the largest shoe deal in women’s basketball history. With her talent and marketability, Caitlin seemed primed to become the face of women’s sports.
But things haven’t gone as expected. While players like Sabrina Ionescu had to wait for their signature shoes (taking about three years), Caitlin Clark’s timeline seems to be even further off, with estimates suggesting her signature shoe won’t launch until 2026 or even 2027. This delay has many wondering why Nike is dragging its feet on such a lucrative opportunity.
The delay is particularly puzzling considering Caitlin’s massive impact on the sport. Her performances on the court speak for themselves. She’s broken countless records, elevated the profile of the WNBA, and transformed how the league is perceived by fans and the media. Last season, Caitlin accounted for nearly 27% of the WNBA’s economic activity. Her games were drawing more viewership than the WNBA Finals, and her popularity was bringing in huge merchandise sales, both for the WNBA and for her brand.
So why is her shoe deal being delayed? The answer isn’t incompetence—it’s strategy. Nike is known for its careful planning and sharp marketing. In fact, many have suggested that Nike is intentionally slowing down the process to navigate some tricky business dynamics.
Navigating the Politics of the WNBA
Nike, despite its reputation for bold moves, is facing a complex situation with its WNBA athletes. While Caitlin Clark is clearly the most marketable player in the league right now, she’s also become the center of attention in ways that make some uncomfortable. Some players, media personalities, and even owners in the WNBA feel that Caitlin’s meteoric rise has overshadowed the efforts and talents of other equally skilled athletes, particularly players like Asia Wilson, who is a three-time MVP and two-time champion.
The question arises: How can Nike market Caitlin as the face of the WNBA without alienating other players in their portfolio, like Asia, who are also incredibly popular and deserving of attention? By focusing too much energy on one player, Nike risks sending the message that Caitlin is the only one who matters, undermining the credibility of the league as a whole. This is where Nike finds itself caught in a dilemma. Caitlin is undeniably the most exciting player right now, but putting all their resources into marketing her signature shoe before Asia’s could create a PR nightmare.
Nike has been handling other big-name players carefully. Sabrina Ionescu had to wait three years for her signature shoe, and Asia Wilson’s shoe is just launching now, years after she became a household name. So why is Caitlin, the current face of women’s basketball, not being treated the same way?
The answer seems to lie in Nike’s broader strategy for women’s basketball. While Caitlin’s shoe will eventually be released—and it will no doubt be a huge success—Nike is strategically holding off to avoid upsetting the balance within the league. Asia Wilson, with her accolades and longstanding success, has earned the right to have her shoe launch first. To release Caitlin’s too soon could risk diluting the market for Asia’s shoe, potentially reducing her sales and triggering backlash from fans who feel that Asia deserves equal treatment.
The Golden Cage: The Business Side of the Deal
While the delay is frustrating for Caitlin and her fans, it also raises questions about the long-term impact of her signing with Nike. The financial terms of her deal, while impressive, might not have been the best decision for her brand. At $28 million over 8 years, Caitlin’s deal may be one of the biggest in women’s sports, but the per-year payout is considerably lower compared to other athletes with similar marketability. In fact, some experts have argued that her agents may have undervalued Caitlin’s worth, leaving significant money on the table.
Had Caitlin chosen to go with a smaller brand, she might have had more control over her brand and the ability to launch her signature products earlier. Think of the path followed by Roger Federer, who signed with On, a smaller footwear company. Federer received a stake in the company, and as sales skyrocketed, his stock in the company was valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. Caitlin could have followed a similar path, potentially turning her brand into a billion-dollar enterprise.
Instead, she’s locked into a long-term contract with Nike, where, while she has financial security, her ability to grow her brand is more restricted. While Nike does a fantastic job of advertising her and promoting her achievements, the company’s broader portfolio means that they have to prioritize other athletes, like Asia Wilson, before Caitlin.
The Future of Caitlin Clark’s Signature Shoe
So when can we expect to see Caitlin’s signature shoe on the market? Given Nike’s strategy, it’s likely that the shoe will launch in 2026 or 2027. This will give Asia Wilson’s shoe time to breathe in the market, ensuring that Caitlin’s shoe doesn’t overshadow the sales of other WNBA athletes. Caitlin’s shoe will no doubt be a massive success, but it’s clear that Nike is prioritizing the broader dynamics of the WNBA over immediate profits.
In the meantime, Caitlin continues to make history on the court, with her potential to dominate for years to come. The delay in her signature shoe release may feel like a setback, but it’s also a sign of just how valuable she is to Nike. Once her shoe hits the shelves, it will be a game-changer. Nike is playing the long game, and while Caitlin may not get her shoe right now, she will eventually get the product and recognition she deserves. When her shoe does hit the market, it will likely outsell all expectations, just like everything else Caitlin touches.
In the end, Caitlin Clark is a transformative figure in women’s basketball, and Nike knows that her time will come. It may be a matter of navigating business politics and ensuring that all players are treated fairly, but Caitlin’s moment is on the horizon, and it’s going to be bigger than anyone could have predicted.
Does Caitlin Clark Deserve a Nike Signature Shoe? She Thinks So, and So Do Her 2024 WNBA Draft Peers
Caitlin Clark was only drafted into the WNBA two days ago and she has reportedly already landed herself a major deal with Nike.
Shams Charania, senior lead NBA insider for The Athletic and Stadium, reported via X (Twitter) on Wednesday night that Clark — the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft — is nearing a “lucrative, eight-figure endorsement deal with Nike.” That deal, according to Charania, will also include her own signature shoe.
FN has reached out to Nike for comment.
Clark has long been aligned with Nike, signing a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with the brand in October 2022. The hooper laced up several different models from Nike during her Iowa Hawkeyes playing days, including looks from the Nike Kobe franchise.
What We Originally Reported on April 16, 2024
It’s a basketball player’s dream to one day have a signature shoe. However, Monday night at the WNBA Draft, several of the league’s newcomers revealed who they believe is most deserving of one from the 2024 draft class right now. That player is Nike-backed Caitlin Clark.
“Obviously she is an amazing player, but she has a great persona and she makes people want to follow her. It’s her emotion and her integrity. I really admire her,” Cameron Brink, who was selected No. 2 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks, told FN shortly after being drafted. Brink is a bit of a trailblazer in sneakers herself, signing with New Balance in August 2023, becoming the brand’s first-ever woman basketball athlete.
She continued, “[Clark] deserves a shoe pretty soon, and I think a lot of people would buy it.”
That opinion was also shared by Clark’s rivals.
“It’s hard to not say Caitlin with everything she’s done. It’s hard for me to say that, too, because we’re competitors, we’re enemies coming out of college,” Jacy Sheldon, who was drafted No. 5 overall by the Dallas Wings, said with a laugh. “She’s grown the game at an immense rate. What she’s doing can’t be ignored, so it has to be her.”
Clark’s college basketball career was nothing short of spectacular. In her final season with the Iowa Hawkeyes, set the record for the most points scored by a NCAA Division I basketball player, men’s or women’s.
What’s more, her presence in women’s college basketball’s biggest moments helped provide a ratings boost. Nielsen reported the championship game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Iowa Hawkeyes — which aired on ESPN and ABC — had an estimated 18.9 million viewers. Nielsen stated it was the most watched women’s college basketball game ever.
“She should have got a shoe in college,” said Rickea Jackson, who was selected No. 4 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks.
Kamilla Cardoso, the No. 3 overall pick by the Chicago Sky, added, “She broke a lot of records, she did great things for women’s basketball. She deserves [a shoe]. She deserves the flowers. She’s a great player, and I’m happy for her and proud of her.”
Caitlin Clark in the Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Bruce Lee.”Getty Images
Clark has long been aligned with Nike, signing a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with the brand in October 2022. The hooper laced up several different models from Nike during her Iowa playing days, including looks from the Nike Kobe franchise.
Shortly after walking off the stage at New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music as the No. 1 overall pick, the newest member of the Indiana Fever told FN she would like to one day have her own shoe. “It was a dream growing up. You want your own shoe, you want kids to wear your shoes, your merch, whatever it is,” she said.
The hooper also offered details about what she would want in a signature shoe.
“It probably would be a low cut, that’s what I love to play in,” Clark said. “Something super comfortable, something with a lot of good ankle support. There would be some fun colors, I’d have a lot of fun colorways. It would be simple, but very sleek and elegant.”
As for current WNBA stars, Clark said she would like to see two-time WNBA champion A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces get her own signature shoe, and applauded what Nike has been able to accomplish with Sabrina Ionescu and her Sabrina 1 model.
