JUST INK IT: CAITLIN CLARK IS ABOUT TO LAND A $28 MILLION DEAL WITH NIKE

The pending deal between Nike and Caitlin Clark first leaked last week, which, of course, left many people, including me, wondering how large her payday was going to be.

The Wall Street Journal and The Athletic, citing unnamed sources familiar with the negotiations, report that she will make $28 million over eight years. So it appears that when the ink drys, she will be walking away with $3.5 million a year. While we don’t know yet if her team negotiated a percentage of sales on top of the $28 million, I’m willing to bet they did, which could make this deal worth significantly more.

Once finalized, the deal would be the most lucrative sponsorship contract for a women's basketball player.

According to numerous reports, Under Armour and Adidas have also made significant offers. Puma also expressed interest but withdrew when informed the bidding would begin at $3 million per year. Under Armour offered $16 million over four years, while Adidas proposed $6 million, including a signature shoe, as reported.

During her time at Iowa, Clark earned approximately $3 million in NIL money through deals with State Farm, Gatorade, and others.  

Clark's selection as the Indiana Fever's No. 1 pick on April 15 should significantly impact the WNBA’s television and streaming ratings. The Fever's schedule reflects Clark's immediate impact, with 36 of their 40 games set to be nationally televised, and league-wide ticket sales have surged.

THE UNDERRATED OPINION
The reported eight-year contract with Nike demonstrates the company's long-term commitment to Clark. Still, considering her impact on the women’s game, I expected the contract to be north of $5 million a year. Remember, the men’s game drew a smaller TV crowd than the women’s championship game for the first time in NCAA history.

Simply put, the Cailin Clark effect is the real deal, and Nike is wise to want to join the journey.