There’s just something about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese that keeps them at the heart of every basketball conversation. And even as they are taking their first big steps off the court, their stories seem almost magnetically linked — and now, even major sportswear brands are finding themselves caught up in it.

Starting with Nike, the brand finds itself facing some serious questions. If you haven’t been keeping track, Nike’s stock has been struggling, dropping roughly 15 percent just in the first quarter of 2025. Since November 2021’s $281 billion apex, Nike’s market cap has cratered 62% to $106 billion. Not exactly the trend they were hoping for. And amid these tough times, Nike is staring straight at what you can call a Caitlin Clark dilemma.

Forbes confirms Nike secured Clark on an eight-year, $28 million pact—but insiders say money alone won’t bind her loyalty. The Forbes article highlighted that today’s stars expect more, like authentic partnerships and products they’re genuinely excited to stand behind. Otherwise, why wouldn’t they just go to the highest bidder? For Nike, the next few steps could make all the difference.

On the other hand, Reebok locked in Reese as its marquee face, launching her Shaqnosis in ‘Sunset Coral’. As reported by Sneaker News, over at Reebok, the energy feels very different. Reese has been front and center for them, especially when it comes to new launches like the Engine A. And now, she’s stepping into another iconic moment with the retro return of the Reebok Shaqnosis.

Reebok’s move to pair Reese with the 1995-born Shaqnosis nails nostalgia and star power in one fell swoop. It’s a smart move, too, getting her involved early in the shoe’s 2025 rollout, following the recent “Washed Black” edition. Reese’s version fully leans into “Sunset Coral” and gold accents, painting suede swatches with a fresh, modern twist. Her signature halo logo even takes its place on the heel, while Shaquille O’Neal’s famous Dunkman logo stays strong underfoot — blending a legend of the past with one of today’s brightest young stars.

Circle the date: May 1st. That’s when the full Angel Reese Reebok collection drops. Reebok will debut Reese’s Shaqnosis at $150 on May 1—alongside a $110 Premier Road Plus VI and a $70–$100 Club C. While Nike sorts through its Caitlin Clark dilemma, Angel Reese is already out there, making retro magic happen — with a little help from Shaq himself. Somewhere else, though, fans blasted Nike online for dragging its feet on Clark’s signature shoe.

Fans’ backlash against Nike for the delay in the Caitlin Clark sneakers

Lately, the women’s basketball community has had a lot to say—and not in a good way—about how Nike is handling Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark after signing her to a huge eight-figure deal last year. Sure, Nike deserves some credit. They’ve plastered Clark’s image on billboards across the country and even featured her in a Super Bowl commercial — moves that made it seem like they were ready to bet big on her. But when it came to what many fans were really waiting for — her own signature shoe — Nike hasn’t moved nearly as fast as people hoped.

Earlier this year, Nike’s CEO revealed that Clark’s signature sneakers are in the works. Sounds promising? Well, not entirely. As of now, there’s no clear sign that the shoes will hit shelves in 2025, leaving a lot of fans frustrated and wondering what’s taking so long. In the meantime, Nike has announced plans to roll out Caitlin Clark’s special versions of the Nike Kobe 5 and 6 Protro later this year. These are known as Player Exclusives, or “PEs” — basically custom takes on existing designs, not brand-new signature models.

While some might call this better than nothing, others aren’t having it. Nate Jones, NBA marketer and shoe sole company co-founder, nailed the mood perfectly in a March 26 X post: “By far the biggest/most box office athlete in the women’s game having 2 PEs for another signature line instead of her own signature line is exhibit A of why Nike is a mess. Caitlin is lightning in a bottle. You expedite a signature!” Clearly, Nike has a lot on its plate to sort out when it comes to Caitlin Clark, while Reebok is presently riding its hopes high on the Angel Reese factor.