Several rumors say Caitlin Clark may soon sign her first major sponsorship as a professional women's basketball player.
The Wall Street Journal and the Athletic reported Tuesday that Clark, 22, will sign an eight-year, $28 million Nike endorsement agreement.
The Athletic says that Clark will receive a signature sneaker and bonuses from the brand.
Clark started working with Nike in 2022 while a college student at the University of Iowa under the NCAA's "Name, Image, and Likeness" program.
Clark stated, "I grew up watching Nike athletes across all sports play their game," when she inked the deal, Fox Sports reported. They motivate me to work hard and make a difference.
I'm honored to be in this first Nike basketball class and eager to inspire others." Clark has worked with Gatorade, State Farm, Buick, Bose, and others before joining the WNBA.
Only three other WNBA players have shoe deals, according USA Today: Besides Breanna Stewart, Elena Delle Donne and Sabrina Ionescu have Nike sponsorships. The publication reported that Ionescu's 2020 contract was $24 million.
Clark's lucrative Nike endorsement contract comes weeks after sports fans debated her low WNBA salary. Clark, the No. 1 choice in this month's WNBA Draft, is scheduled to earn $338,056 in her first four years. In contrast, the NBA's most recent No. 1 overall choice, Victor Wembanyama, is slated to make $55.7 million in his first four years.
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