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[Saba Sports News] Caitlin Clark had a standout rookie season in the WNBA, leading the league in assists and three-pointers, yet Nike has largely overlooked her in its marketing efforts.
The sports apparel giant hasn’t produced a commercial featuring Clark since she joined the league, nor have they announced a signature shoe for her, raising questions about why they aren’t capitalizing on her immense popularity.
In a recent article, Ethan Strauss argued that Nike is missing out on the “Caitlin Clark windfall” due to two fears. First, there’s speculation Nike worries about backlash from those envious of Clark’s popularity, including critics within the WNBA.
Second, Nike may be hesitant to promote Clark ahead of reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, who is rumored to be next in line for a signature shoe.
Despite Clark’s impact—selling out arenas and drawing triple the viewership of other WNBA games—Nike seems reluctant to fully embrace her market potential. Fans and analysts alike are puzzled by this missed opportunity.