According to The Wall Street Journal, the leading scorer in NCAA Division I history and the top pick in the WNBA draft will maintain her partnership with Nike through a $28 million (€26 million) contract over eight years, which also entails the launch of her signature shoe.
Such lucrative deal makes Clark’s shoe contract the most lucrative in the history of women’s basketball. The 22-year-old has been affiliated with Nike since 2022, a time when her national recognition was growing as she played for the Hawkeyes. Her name, image, and likeness agreement concluded at the conclusion of the 2023-24 college.
Now playing for the Indiana Fever, Clark opted to remain with Nike despite receiving a more financially lucrative offer from Under Armour, albeit on a shorter-term basis. The Athletic reported that Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, who is endorsed by Under Armour, was involved in persuading Clark to consider joining the brand.
Adidas (offering a four-year contract worth $6 million (€5.6 million) with a signature shoe) and Puma (which withdrew before presenting an initial offer) were also under consideration. As the highest scorer in the history of college basketball, across both men’s and women’s divisions, Clark is anticipated to shine as a prominent figure in the WNBA. Since turning professional, she has secured endorsement agreements with Xfinity, Panini, and Gainbridge, further solidifying her status.
Despite the said offers from sports wear giants Adidas and Puma, her agents were always keen for her to remain with Nike. Clark’s agents began negotiating the new contract even before her decision to turn professional instead of utilising the COVID-19 exemption to return to Iowa for a fifth season during the 2020 pandemic-altered collegiate season.
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Following a season where she averaged 31.6 points and guided the Hawkeyes to a second consecutive national championship game, Clark was selected as the No.1 draft pick by the Indiana Fever on 15 April. As a rookie, she will receive a salary of $76,000 (€71k).
With her blend of long-range 3-pointers, eye-catching thread-the-needle passes, and commanding court presence, she has been the primary catalyst for the significant surge in interest in women’s basketball.
A record-breaking 18.9 million viewers tuned in to watch Iowa’s defeat against South Carolina in the NCAA title game, marking the highest viewership for women’s basketball. Additionally, a record-breaking 2.45 million viewers watched the WNBA draft.