Caitlin Clark’s $28 million Nike contract, compared to that of its other basketball athletes, highlights her star power and the financial divide fueling WNBA player frustrations during CBA negotiations
Caitlin Clark and Nike(Image: Getty)
The WNBA remains in ongoing CBA negotiations with its players, and superstar Caitlin Clark became the focal point of alleged criticism from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert that the Fever star should be lucky that she’s able to secure deals off the court due to her visibility.
Englebert denied making statements alleged by Napheesa Collier that Clark should “be on her knees” and that players should “thank their lucky stars” for the league’s exposure platform and their acquisition of their latest TV deal. The Fever star remains one of the most prominent voices fighting for more pay and better leadership, with Collier leading the charge for change.
But before Clark even walked across the stage to shake Engelbert’s hand as the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, Nike signed Clark to an NIL deal while she dominated college basketball record books at Iowa. That agreement has since morphed into a full-on deal that changed the game in women’s basketball.
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In April 2024, the WNBA star signed an eight-year, $28 million contract with the company, averaging $3.5 million annually.
Clark’s agreement includes her signature shoe line, set to launch in 2026, apparel collections that have already surfaced, and performance bonuses.
The deal was reportedly the largest shoe deal ever for a women’s basketball player.
Clark turned down offers from Under Armour ($16 million over four years) and Adidas ($6 million over four years), promising signature shoes.
Clark’s rookie season with the Indiana Fever immediately justified the decision after helping to drive viewership up 50 percent and attendance by nearly half.
Her jerseys, Wilson basketball, and Nike Kobe 6 PEs sold out within minutes of release, but her $3.5 million annual average is a drop compared to Nike’s top NBA contracts.
Caitlin Clark has campaigned for higher WNBA salaries (Image: 2025 Getty Images)
LeBron James’s lifetime deal exceeds $1 billion and earns him over $40 million yearly.
Kevin Durant’s lifetime agreement is valued at more than $300 million.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s five-year extension is worth $143 million, averaging $28.6 million annually. Devin Booker’s contract runs through 2029 for over $200 million, and Ja Morant’s five-year deal is valued at $167 million.
On the women’s side, A’ja Wilson’s recent Nike deal is estimated to be between $20 million and $25 million, and her A’One shoe launched in May with success. Sabrina Ionescu’s multi-year contract is worth $12-18 million, and she has seen her first two signature models worn on NBA courts.
Outside Nike, Breanna Stewart’s Puma partnership is estimated to be worth between $12 and $15 million, while Angel Reese’s Reebok deal is expected to reach $8-12 million. Her shoes, which were released in three colorways, sold out in minutes on release day.
For comparison, the WNBA’s annual revenue hovers around $200 million, while the NBA’s is over $10 billion. That gap continues to define the pay structure across every game level.