In 1995, Sheryl Swoopes made history as the first woman to receive a Nike signature shoe, signing a $175,000 deal at a time when women’s basketball was barely on the endorsement radar. Fast forward to today, and Caitlin Clark has shattered that ceiling with a multimillion dollar Nike contract—the richest in women’s basketball history, which even left Swoopes, who’s usually a staunch critic of the 23-year-old, being unable to ignore the magnitude of the moment.

But before we dive into that, what makes the appreciation more surprising is the retired WNBA star’s public disdain up until recently. While it stemmed from Swoopes being fiercely protecting of the records she set, and even going the extra mile to explain why Clark breaking those records fades in comparison, it slowly translated to a personal animosity of sorts.

Even before Clark had set foot into the WNBA, Swoopes came up with an unnerving prediction in January last year. “Will Caitlin Clark be a good pro? Absolutely. Will Caitlin Clark come into the WNBA and do what she’s doing right now immediately? Absolutely not. Not going to happen.” The reality? The Fever star’s debut game—where she scored 20 points and 10 turnovers before losing 92-71 to the Connecticut Sun—was the most watched WNBA game since 2001. And by the end of the season, the young player had squarely clarified every single doubt Swoopes had.

We’re talking not just winning Rookie of the Year, by leading all rookies in points per game, assists per game, minutes per game, field goals made, 3-point field goals made, and free throws made, but also becoming a 4-time WNBA Rookie of the Month, 3-time WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week, and WNBA Eastern Conference Player in August last year. Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to appease Swoopes, but we’ll talk about later, because her sudden change in demeanor has taken the community by storm…

During a February 25 episode of the ‘The Power of Knowing Who You Are with Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby’ podcast, the Hall of Famer couldn’t hold back her emotions while reflecting on how far the game has come in terms of endorsements. “So I was telling A’ja, in 1997, when I signed with Nike. Nike didn’t even have a women’s sports marketing division. It was just like a, ‘Here you go, here’s the room, do what you gotta do with it’,” Swoopes recalled. “And so what really excites me today about where we are is it’s not just the things that the women are getting on the court. You have all these women and brands who are saying, ‘We see you, we hear you, we need you’.”

Swoopes, who was the first female athlete to ever receive a signature shoe from Nike named after them, continued, “So you have the Angel Reeses, the Caitlin Clarks, the DiJonai Carringtons, the Rickea Jacksons, the A’jas doing things that we only could dream of. And my very first Nike contract when I signed in ’97 was like $175,000.”

Notably, Swoopes’ groundbreaking Nike deal lasted for seven years from 1995-2002. Fast forward to today, and Caitlin Clark is cashing in on an eight-year, $28 million contract—securing the richest reported shoe deal in women’s basketball history. Not just that, Clark was also one of the first college basketball players to sign a NIL deal with the brand.

Having said that, Khristina Williams, the co-host, responded with amazement: “Seventy- five thousand dollars? Wow!” But Swoopes contrasted that moment with the present day, highlighting just how far the WNBA has come. “Which then I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’ve made it right’. And today to see a player like an A’ja and a Caitlin Clark signing a $20 million contract. Like, I don’t even know what to say about that, because I never thought that I would see this day when we started the W back at ’97. Where we’re sitting here actually talking about how far the game has come and these million-dollar contracts that female basketball players are now signing.”

Sheryl Swoopes paved the way, but even she never imagined this. “That’s what ’97 to where we are today. That’s what it was for us,” she reflected. “It was about being able to be in this moment and share in this moment with everything that women’s basketball is experiencing today.” And what a moment it is!

Top Comment by Austintim

Nike blew it wrt Caitlin, but is trying hard to recover. Swoopes can’t stand her, but hopefully she will put...more

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Notably, this comes just two months after the three-time WNBA MVP had appeared calculative in her critique while talking about Clark being named as TIME’s Athlete of the Year for 2024. “I don’t think I’m surprised. I’m curious to know who the other candidates were, but the fact that that’s the very first WNBA player to ever win TIME Magazine Athlete of the Year is pretty special…My question is, like the criteria, is it based off of her performance on the court? Which, yeah, she had a great year, or is it more about the impact that she had on the game this season?”

Then, at a time when Clark was already averaging 19.5 points, a league-best 8.4 assists, to go with 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in September last year, the 53-year-old’s feedback was simple: “Those are hell of a numbers. But to me, that’s not dominating.” But, after a point, it just became what Sports Illustrated described as a ‘sad saga’. NBA insider Dan Dakich also took it up a notch.

“Sheryl Swoopes has equity in hating on Caitlin Clark. She’s been there, done that, keeps doing it, and it’s not only about basketball, it’s about her relationships with other players or perceived relationships with other players.” Looks like the public scrutiny of Clark had garnered Swoopes more foes than friends. Could that be the reason why the veteran is rethinking her stances? While we can’t be sure of that, it sure is like a breath of fresh air…

On the contrary, what also adds to this positivity is WNBA athletes turning heads beyond the court. For example, A’ja Wilson, who’s earned two WNBA rings, two Olympic gold medals, an NCAA title and three WNBA MVP awards recently released her A’one, as per a press release from the athletic footwear, apparel, and sports equipment on February 7.

“This silhouette delivers the ultimate blend of comfort and versatility, engineered to give hoopers everything they need — cushioning, traction, fit and support. The Cushlon ST2 foam works with a firmer base to deliver explosive responsiveness and smooth, cushioned landings, allowing you to stay ready for every play. A reimagined traction pattern lets you cut, pivot, and move side to side with precision. While the supportive insole and breathable mesh upper lock you in for unstoppable, dynamic movement,” the press release stated.

Wilson, on the other hand, couldn’t be more ecstatic: “The A’One is meant to go the distance, taking control from the jump and dominating the floor on every play. From the beginning, we designed the shoe to both support my game and to provide young hoopers a tool to help them level up. The A’One aces that assignment, delivering exactly what I need to push my performance and inspiring the next generation to give it their all on every play.”

Angel Reese is set to drop her own Reebok signature shoe in 2026, and Rickea Jackson made history as Skechers’ first WNBA signee. Meanwhile, Sabrina Ionescu’s over $24 million Nike deal solidifies her place in the sneaker game. The landscape has changed—women’s basketball stars aren’t just making history; they’re cashing in on it.

That’s definitely noteworthy, but want to hear what’s more noteworthy?

The billion-dollar bidding war for Caitlin Clark: How Nike won the biggest prize in women’s basketball

Women’s basketball has reached a new level of commercial success, and Caitlin Clark’s historic Nike contract is the latest proof. But before she inked that record-breaking eight-year, $28 million deal, the biggest sneaker brands were in a high-stakes bidding war to land the game’s most electrifying star.

It was the 2024 NBA All-Star weekend, and Caitlin Clark had just torched Michigan with a 49-point performance. At that moment, the biggest names in sneaker culture—Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Under Armour—all saw dollar signs. Even though Clark had yet to declare for the WNBA Draft, brands weren’t waiting. They wanted her locked in, whether she stayed at Iowa or turned pro.

But when the offers hit the table, only two companies had a real shot at winning the Clark sweepstakes. Adidas pitched hard, offering a four-year, $6 million deal with a custom prototype already in the works. Meanwhile, Under Armour pulled out all the stops, enlisting Stephen Curry’s personal endorsement and offering $16 million over four years, plus a signature shoe, which was more than Nike’s offer.

Notably, Clark’s initial contract placed her as the face of the Kobe Bryant line, but after backlash from fans demanding her own signature shoe, Nike adjusted course. Now, Clark’s custom-designed CC1s are finally in development, proving that in this new era of women’s sports, the athletes—and their fans—are calling the shots.

Swoopes’ emotions reflect the broader narrative of women’s basketball: a game that started as an afterthought in the endorsement world is now a multi-million dollar industry with global influence. Clark’s Nike update isn’t just a payday; it’s a statement. It’s proof that women’s basketball is no longer just fighting for recognition—it’s commanding it.