US sporting goods giant Nike is close to reaching an agreement to sign a sponsorship deal with college women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark ahead of her professional debut scheduled for May. This was revealed by multiple people with knowledge of the situation.
Clark also had a contract with Nike over image rights and other matters when he was at the University of Iowa, and this agreement is expected to build on that past relationship. She was selected with the first pick in the women’s professional basketball WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever this month.
A Nike spokesperson declined to comment.
Nike is rushing to expand its lineup of young basketball players in light of the approaching retirement of popular veteran players such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant from the NBA men’s professional basketball team. Clark is expected to develop a sneaker line with Nike.
Viewer ratings for women’s sports have been increasing recently, and star athletes are appearing one after another, and major sporting goods companies are paying attention. However, there are very few manufacturers that offer sneaker brands for female athletes.
Clark’s contract negotiations with Nike were first reported by sports website The Athletic.
Photographer: Alika Jenner/Getty Images
Original title: Nike Nears Endorsement Deal With Basketball Star Caitlin Clark (excerpt)
2024-04-18 19:20:10
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