"A'ja don't move the needle": WNBA fans debate on A'ja Wilson's marketability after Caitlin Clark bags $20-million shoe deal before Aces star

WNBA fans were left to ponder on social media on the marketability of back-to-back champion A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces on the heels of the lucrative shoe deal that prized rookie Caitlin Clark recently secured.

Clark, 22, was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA rookie draft earlier this week following an illustrious collegiate career at the University of Iowa, where she rewrote several college records.

Nike immediately made a move to secure her a deal, which various media outlets placed at around $20 million.

The development left many in the Twitterverse wondering where A'ja Wilson falls in the general scheme of things as she remains without a signature shoe deal with Nike or other brands despite the success she has had individually and with the Aces.

Below are what some of the fans wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

Papa Duck (@ktrice4life) urged Wilson to just continue being herself despite the oversight on her marketability, writing:

"A'ja don't move the needle..."

Another post from MyNameisJeff (@thejbratc) was along that line as well, highlighting how A'ja Wilson is a bona fide star, regardless whether she has shoe deal or not:

"THE most? Those accomplishments look a lot like"

Many, however, chose to debate the fame that Clark has garnered over that of Wilson as a major contributor to her securing the deal.

X user Quick Edge (@QuickEdgeBets) wrote:

"Literally no one knows who A'ja Wilson is. I just heard about her today. She might be great, she might be the best. But she isn't famous, Brands want to be with household names. Like it or not, that's what Caitlin Clark is."

A post from Packing, Again (@Travelnpack) read:

"Who knew about her outside the WNBA followers? Who knew about her before the CC shoe deal? Her jersey selling out? Are teams moving to bigger venues when she comes to town? Has viewership jumped to million when she plays?

X user Major Madness (@low_madness) moved to underscore:

"The market decides who's marketable. If she had that kind of star power anyone would come make money off of her would tap in."

There were others, meanwhile, who pinned the blame on the marketability, or lack there of, of A'ja Wilson on the WNBA and her representatives.

X user Leeroy (@LeeJenkins69) was direct in saying:

"Bro it's about nobody watching the wnba. Not hard to figure out. She's a beast but nobody watches the league in general."

Magoo (@Magoo_Tweets), meanwhile, wrote:

"The failure is her representatives not scoring a big endorsement deal for her."

User Sean (@SeanMyMan92), for his part, said:

"Your Average Sports Fan isn't watching the WNBA. But I bet they tune in to watch the Indiana Fever play."

With this development, Clark became one of three WNBA players who have a signature shoe deal, joining Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, both of the New York Liberty.

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A'ja Wilson looking forward to represent USA in the Paris Olympics

While the debate on whether she deserves a shoe deal or not rages on, A'ja Wilson is focusing on her basketball career, including representing the United States in the Olympic Games in Paris later this year.

The former South Carolina standout was among those shortlisted for the training camp of Team USA for the Olympics. She was with fellow WNBA stars Breanna Stewart, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Plum.

In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Wilson shared her interest of being part of Team USA again, saying:

"I hope that I'm in Paris. I'm super excited. That's somthing that obviously is on my list again. I'm grateful to have a gold medal. But yes, I would love to be part of Team USA again."

A'ja Wilson was part the U.S. squad that won gold in the 2020 Olympics in Japan and two World Cup winning teams in 2018 and 2022.