Caitlin Clark keeps raising the bar wherever she goes! Apart from Wilson who only had ties with Michael Jordan, stepping into the WNBA, the Indiana Fever star signed a monstrous $28 million/ 8-year deal with Nike. It was the largest sponsorship contract for a women’s basketball player. Recently, Nike CEO Elliot Hill came to the press with some exciting news.

“She [Caitlin Clark] was in yesterday, working on her signature shoe that we’ll launch. We’re working on her logo, and her design of her logo.” Hill said to the press, unveiling the new line of shoes being launched in collaboration with the Iowa sensation. The shoe conglomerate and Clark have been collaborators for a while now, having even an NIL deal together.

When asked about investing in women’s sports, and creating more opportunities for such products, Elliot Hill had only positive things to say. “When we were running just basketball, we never got to women’s opportunities. But by having a small team that’s focused on women’s basketball, it unlocks opportunities for the game of basketball, but also our product.”

According to some people, however, the timing of the release could have been better. The Caitlin Clark line should have been made available during Christmas 2024 itself. Nevertheless, it is evident that Nike and Caitlin Clark make a good pair. But with the kind of contract that was given to CC, it was bound to rub some veterans the wrong way.

Is everything A’One with Nike and A’Ja Wilson?

Of course, A’Ja Wilson has her own shoe! But how it came to be is a story of its own. Nike drew a lot of criticism when Caitlin Clark signed her record-breaking shoe deal. Firstly, the Des Moines native hadn’t even played her first game in the WNBA when she signed with Nike. Secondly, the now 3x MVP Wilson had also not been offered her own shoe deal.

Aces fans were livid, to say the least. The issue wasn’t with Clark getting the contract; it was with Nike not offering the same to other star veterans.

Nike, however, corrected their mistakes almost immediately. A’Ja Wilson signed a hefty six-year contract extension, putting her right up there with Caitlin Clark in terms of largest shoe deals. What’s more, Nike prioritized her signature shoe line over Clark’s, aiming to get them out by 2025 spring.

The A’One’s are priced at about $110, with Wilson and Nike collaborating in depth to find a happy middle ground in terms of creative direction. Critics weren’t fully happy with this outcome, as some believed that Caitlin Clark should be prioritized.

The example given was of LeBron James, and how Nike afforded him a shoe deal as a rookie because they knew he was gonna be big. It is not yet confirmed when Caitlin Clark’s line of shoes is coming out, but fans are excited nonetheless. One thing is for certain, Nike has a good eye for its athletes.