Caitlin Clark achieves feat only Michael Jordan has accomplished as she lands historic deal with Wilson
After taking the basketball world by storm, Caitlin Clark has earned another major endorsement deal.
The No. 1 WNBA draft pick has signed a multi-year partnership with equipment manufacturer Wilson, which has supplied the WNBA’s official ball since 2021.
The deal, announced by the brand on Tuesday, includes a signature basketball collection, making the Indiana Fever rookie the first since Michael Jordan to receive such an honor.
According to Boardroom, the six-time NBA champion is the only other athlete to develop a signature collection with Wilson.
Wilson has already released three different gold and white basketballs that honor individual milestones in Clark’s college career.
Caitlin Clark has entered into a multi-year partnership with basketball equipment manufacturer Wilson
She will be the first athlete since Michael Jordan to have a signature collection from the brand
The three Clark-branded balls, titled Three Up, Record Breaker and Crowd Maestro, feature laser engravings of the guard’s signature moves from her time at Iowa, where she set the all-time NCAA Division I basketball record.
“I think it’s super special and it was fun for me,” Clark told Boardroom. “I feel like I was just that young kid who had those basketballs that I would store in the garage.
“I’m just very lucky and fortunate to be able to work with Wilson to create something that everyone can enjoy. It connects many generations and it will be nice to see children walking around with them in their arms.”
Within her role as ambassador, Clark Wilson will also test and advise on his basketball equipment.
The partnership adds to the millions Clark is reportedly already raking in. Since bursting onto the scene in the college ranks, Clark has made about $3 million in NIL money in Iowa from deals she had with State Farm, Gatorade, Nike and others, according to the WSJ.
She is also believed to have signed a historic deal with Nike last month, which would see her sign the richest sponsorship deal for a women’s basketball player.
The three Clark-branded balls feature laser engravings of the guard’s signature moves
The white and gold balls are called Three Up (left), Record Breaker and Crowd Maestro (right)
The Indiana Fever rookie is also believed to have signed a historic deal with Nike last month
Clark’s initial name, image and likeness agreement with the sportswear giant, signed in 2022, expired at the end of the 2023-2024 season.
According to the WSJ and The Athletic, Under Armor and Adidas also participated in contract talks with Clark’s team in February. Puma also showed some interest, but walked away when told the bidding would start at $3 million per year, according to the WSJ.
According to the WSJ, Clark received offers of $16 million over four years from Under Armor and $6 million over four years from Adidas, both of which included a signature shoe.
Clark is earning a salary of $76,000 as a rookie with the Fever, who are currently 0-4 to start the 2024 WNBA season and are looking to get their first win of the year on Wednesday in Seattle.