Caitlin Clark made history this week when reports surfaced that the college basketball legend is set to sign an eight-year, $28 million deal with Nike. The deal marks the richest endorsement contract in the history of women’s basketball.
Nike was not the only brand that wanted to sign with the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. But at $28 million and a signature shoe deal, it certainly offered the most money.
Under Armour, Puma and Adidas were also involved in trying to close a deal with Clark, the Wall Street Journal reported. Under Armour presented a competitive four-year offer worth $16 million with a shoe deal. Meanwhile, Adidas proposed a four-year contract to Clark valued at $6 million, also including a shoe deal.
Puma, though, did not even entertain the process. Clark and her team made it very clear that the bidding would begin at $3 million, which is when Puma’s executives simply walked away from the table.
Caitlin Clark after she is selected with the number one overall pick to the Indiana Fever n the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
People are roasting Puma for its decision to walk away from the table:
Puma said 3 what ?!?!?!? lol https://t.co/wQH0Ma6Vhj pic.twitter.com/rURRPqpPMZ
— G-Fost (@Call_Me_Fost) April 24, 2024
“Ok bidding starts at 3mil per year…”
Now bidding for Adidas: https://t.co/y4LpNy7oaJ pic.twitter.com/jS8Vd8S2BS
— KCfaninRockwall (@KCBoricua71) April 23, 2024
Puma when they said $3M https://t.co/jHzolWWnNC pic.twitter.com/bAPeUDIe17
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) April 23, 2024
Puma spent the entire budget on Leon https://t.co/i8iLCcn2W7 pic.twitter.com/HnQFoSzFuL
— Connor Halley (@ConnorHalley) April 24, 2024
Puma were like https://t.co/C9rQjVmqPJ pic.twitter.com/aF2f9IOygo
— Seijūrō Akashi (@k_C_Archer) April 23, 2024
