Caitlin Clark Ditched Nike’s Victim Stephen Curry Despite His Unique Strategy to Lure WNBA Star

Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA sent a fervor around the basketball world, from breaking viewership records to making big-time deals. The former Iowa Hawkeyes guard is on her way to a potential Hall of Fame career. Clark’s entry in Indiana prompted the Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton to pay her visit and now even Stephen Curry joined in that trend.

Curry’s Under Armour and Adidas are among the companies who are in line to sign Clark. However, it turns out Curry’s persuasion may not be enough. According to a recent X post, “Adidas and Under Armour also pursued Caitlin Clark, The Athletic reported, with Steph Curry sitting in Clark’s pitch meeting. But Clark is sticking with the Swoosh.”

Clark sticking with Nike even after Steph’s plea is very ironic, as the Swoosh botched a deal with the former MVP back in 2013. The company is famous for signing and recognizing world-class talent, however, at the time Curry was only 25 and didn’t win anything. So, they refused to sign him.

While Curry had been wearing Nike throughout the initial four years of his professional career, as his first sneaker deal neared its end, the Curry family entertained pitch meetings with various major sneaker companies. However, Nike failed to match Under Armour as they offered $4 Million and a chance to be the face of the franchise. Now it seems like with the 22-year-old, things are full circle for Nike.

The details of Catlin Clark and Nike Tie-up

According to Shams Charania, “Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark – the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft – is nearing a lucrative, eight-figure endorsement deal with Nike, per industry sources. Clark is set to receive her own signature Nike shoe.”

Clark’s Nike contract expired after the college basketball season, opening the door for new negotiations as her star power surges. The 22-year-old ex-Iowa standout boasts endorsements from Gatorade, State Farm, and Panini. Clark, along with fellow top WNBA rookies, recently sparked controversy over their league’s modest salaries. Spotrac reveals Clark’s expected four-year earnings with Indiana at $338,056, averaging around $84K annually.

As per USA Today’s The Rookie Wire, Clark is set to become the first Fever player with a signature shoe, joining a select group of five current players with such deals. Among them are Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, along with Candace Parker of the Las Vegas Aces and Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury, all with their own signature footwear.