What really defines Caitlin Clark? It’s the undeniable passion she stirs among her fans, whether it’s her game-changing entry into the WNBA, her relationship updates with boyfriend Connor McCaffery, or even her endorsement deals. All of this keeps her in the spotlight, even after her early exit in the playoffs. Now, as Clark enjoys her offseason to the fullest, another buzz has taken over the internet. A rumor is circulating that she might be leaving her deal with sportswear giant Nike to sign with another major brand.

While the Fever #22 enjoys some offseason downtime by trying her hand at golf and spending quality time with her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, a hoax has been making waves on social media—especially on YouTube. The buzz? Clark might have struck a deal with Adidas.

A YouTube channel, All Star America, recently posted a video titled “Caitlin Clark Shocks Nike with Massive Adidas Deal | This Changes Everything!” The thumbnail features Clark shaking hands with an Adidas associate, with both brand logos in the background. It’s enough to leave fans wondering if their idol made a sudden, unexpected move away from Nike. And that is just one of the many similar videos created establishing Clark’s signature with Adidas.

But don’t let these rumors fool you—they don’t hold much weight. Fans shouldn’t get caught up in the speculation. While there has been some buzz around Nike’s silence regarding Caitlin Clark’s signature shoe and the delays following her $28 million deal with the brand, this doesn’t mean she’s jumping ship to Adidas.

Does delay in Nike signature shoe’s delivery has pushed Caitlin Clark for Adidas Deal?

The anticipation surrounding Caitlin Clark’s delayed signature shoe launch is definitely palpable, with some speculating that the brand may be focusing on fulfilling its commitment to reigning MVP A’ja Wilson first. But that doesn’t mean Clark is cutting ties with Nike just to join a competitor. Clark’s relationship with Nike runs deep, dating back to her Iowa days when she secured a NIL deal with the brand.

Once that contract wrapped up, Nike wasted no time offering her an even more lucrative deal—one that included her own signature sneaker, which she eagerly signed on for.  The new deal, valued at $28 million, came with an eight-year commitment, underscoring just how valuable Clark is to Nike. While this deal was significant due to its amount and promises, what’s even more intriguing is that other brands reportedly caught Clark’s attention, including Nike’s direct competitor, Adidas, which also tried to lure her in.

However, many deemed Adidas’s shot for Clark disrespectful because their offer didn’t match the star power of the Iowa sensation, who had just shattered college scoring records in both men’s and women’s basketball. According to the Wall Street Journal, Adidas proposed a four-year, $6 million deal with a signature shoe. While that might sound impressive, it fell far short of Nike’s offer—both in terms of money and contract length—making it easy for Clark to pass on Adidas and stick with the brand she’s been loyal to.

On contrary, Nike has time and again shown Clark the respect and admiration she deserves. Shortly after she was named Rookie of the Year, the brand celebrated her accomplishments in a big way. They unveiled a massive billboard outside the Indiana Fever arena, proudly showcasing Clark’s incredible season. The billboard read, “Is there a rookie record for rookie records?”—a fitting tribute to her record-breaking debut season.