"Caitlin Clark shouldn't have signed with Nike": Fans lash out at footwear brand for potentially shelving rookie's signature shoe

There was plenty of buzz in the basketball world when Caitlin Clark confirmed she was signing with Nike in April. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft class agreed to a whopping $28 million endorsement deal with the global sports brand. Nearly five months later, there is no shoe in sight for the Indiana Fever's rookie sensation.

At that time the two parties agreed to the deal, the 2024 WNBA season was just around the corner leaving little time for Nike to release a show for the highly touted rising star. According to NBA agent and the co-founder of Move Insoles Nate Jones, a Caitlin Clark signature shoe may not be released in time for next season.

"How do you have the biggest basketball, the most talked about new entrance to the basketball world and you don't have product for her," said Jones. "For whatever reason, she has been put on the backburner."

Fans lashed out on social media after hearing the news that one of the most well-recognized and popular athletes in the sports world could start her second season without a signature sneaker on the market.

"If this is true, then Caitlin shouldn't have signed w/ Nike," said one fan.

"The sales would be through the roof especially Christmas coming up and her being in the playoffs," commented another fan.

"@Nike Where is Caitlin Clark’s signature shoe?," one fan asked.

"Caitlin sells out everything she endorse, now imagine HER own pair of basketball shoes," said a fan.

"Y’all landed a golden goose but then got bullied into not utilising it," stated a fan.

"Caitlin is CLEARLY the face of the league. Her shoe would sell like Jordan’s," commented another fan.

Nate Jones was speaking on the "House of Strauss" podcast and said that Nike's involvement with A'ja Wilson may be one reason the company is waiting to release a unique Clark shoe. Wilson was just named the WNBA MVP for the third time in five seasons and is one of the league's most talented superstars.

"I've got the MVP of the league A'ja Wilson, her shoe is coming out. It feels like a lot of this is around avoiding upsetting that. ... who the f**k says she can't go before A'ja. It's business," said Jones.

Caitlin Clark has been seen wearing Nike Player Exclusive Kobe Bryant shoes during the 2024 season

Detailed view of the Nike shoes of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark against the Phoenix Mercury during a WNBA game at Footprint Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

Caitlin Clark's preferred basketball shoes during her entire college career with the Iowa Hawkeyes were the Kobe Bryant sneakers. The 22-year-old seems to have continued with that trend in the pros.

Clark favors the Bryant signature shoes and debuted a pair of her first player-exclusive colorway Kobe kicks during a Fever practice on July 30. The black and yellow color scheme suits both the Iowa and Indiana Fever uniforms, making them the perfect shoes for Clark.