Caitlin Clark has landed a life-changing sneaker deal with Nike ahead of her WNBA debut.
Caitlin Clark and Michael Jordan (Photos via Getty Images & StockX)
The former Iowa Hawkeyes star is set to ink a contract that should pay her $28 million over the next eight years, but Sonny Vaccaro thinks she was fleeced.
Vaccaro, who famously recruited Michael Jordan for the sportswear company in the 1980s, discussed Clark’s deal with TMZ, telling the publication he was surprised she didn’t secure a bigger figure as she could have gotten something similar to what MJ got.
According to the shoe industry legend, Clark could have gotten a contract that would pay her a percentage of every Clark-branded item sold along with her yearly payout, like MJ got as part of his initial contract with the brand.
“She should have gotten a piece of everything,” he offered, “just like Michael Jordan.“
The 84-year-old reckons Clark’s agent and the other companies that dropped out of the negotiations are to blame for Nike getting a company-friendly deal with the former college basketball star.
“I’m saying to you,” Vaccaro added, “they messed up. They should have held on to the last drop.“
Still, $28 million and a signature sneaker is a whole lot for someone set to make $76,000 a year from her WNBA contract.
Caitlin Clark Makes Her WNBA Training Camp Debut
Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark has made her WNBA training camp debut following the Indiana Fever drafting her No. 1 overall earlier this month.
The 22-year-old pulled up to practice on Sunday, bringing some energy. And her entrance has gone viral.
Check it out below:
Everyone’s looking forward to seeing how effective Clark’s game will be in the pros. Nike will have a particular interest given its significant investment.