GOLF: NOV 12 LPGA The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican Pro Am Press Conference – Source: Getty

Caitlin Clark is bringing more eyes to the WNBA than any other player in the league’s history. The Indiana Fever phenom broke records on and off the court in her first season as a pro and is one of the most popular figures in sports entering her second year.

Clark’s marketability is unprecedented in the WNBA and brands are lining up to partner with her. Her shoe deal was no different.

Upon being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark had her pick at a shoe brand to kick off her professional career working with. It was no surprise that Caitlin Clark signed with Nike, landing an eight-year, $20 million deal, but what has happened in the past year since signing her deal has been nothing short of shocking.

As pointed out by The Assist Network, Nike has yet to make Clark a focal point, as many expected the Fever guard to be in the midst of designing her signature shoe given her historic rookie campaign. In fact, Nike’s lack of prioritization where Clark is concerned has reportedly cost the company billions.

According to The Assist Network, Nike took a $27 billion hit to its market value after a lackluster sales quarter, with many crediting the loss to a lack of focus on Clark’s brand.

Paige Bueckers’ signature Nike shoe brings prioritization of Caitlin Clark into question

Earlier this month, Nike announced the release of the Paige Bueckers x Nike GT Hustle 3 collaboration, making the UConn Huskies superstar the first college player with a signature Nike shoe. The release of Bueckers’ shoe caused an uproar among fans, as many faulted Nike’s lack of awareness for Clark’s potential brand value.

There’s no doubt Bueckers deserves her own shoe. The UConn guard is widely projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, and her stardom is well on its way, but she’s not Caitlin Clark, at least not yet.

Caitlin Clark helped the WNBA set television ratings and attendance records off the court as the driving force of the biggest swing in popularity in the league’s history. The WNBA has never been bigger and no player can be credited for the shift more than Clark.

Nike’s $27 billion hit could be the least of the company’s concerns if the concerns surrounding Clark’s brand aren’t addressed with haste. Indiana’s superstar has the largest fanbase of any player in the league and Clark’s fans are voicing their frustrations. As the most popular player in the WNBA, a signature sneaker is likely in Clark’s immediate future following Nike’s plummet in market value.

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