The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)

Clark is set to sign a new Nike deal valued at $28 million over 8 years

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Caitlin Clark appears to be on the cusp of setting another record.

The most prolific scorer in NCAA Division I history and the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft will continue her associatio­n with Nike by signing a $28 million contract that spans eight years and includes a signature shoe.

The Wall Street Journal and The Athletic reported the pending deal, citing unnamed people familiar with the negotiatio­ns between the sportswear giant and Clark’s agents.

Excel Sports Management, which represents Clark, and Nike did not immediatel­y respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

Clark’s initial name, image and likeness deal, signed in 2022, expired at the end of the 2023-24 season.

The new deal would be the richest sponsorshi­p contract for a women’s basketball player.

Under Armour and Adidas also participat­ed in contract discussion­s with Clark’s team in February, according to the WSJ and Athletic. Puma also showed some interest but walked away when told the bidding would start at $3 million per year, according to the WSJ.

Clark received offers of $16 million over four years from Under Armour and $6 million over four years from Adidas, with both including a signature shoe, according to the WSJ.

Clark earned about $3 million in NIL money at Iowa with deals she has had with State Farm, Gatorade and others, according to On3.com.

Clark’s agents were working on the new Nike contract even before she announced she would turn pro instead of return to Iowa for a fifth season under the COVID-19 exemption offered to players in college during the 2020 pandemic season.

 ?? Steph Chambers/Getty Images ?? Iowa’s Caitlin Clark shoots the ball over South Carolina’s Raven Johnson in the second half during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championsh­ip at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on April 7 in Cleveland.
Steph Chambers/Getty Images Iowa’s Caitlin Clark shoots the ball over South Carolina’s Raven Johnson in the second half during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championsh­ip at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on April 7 in Cleveland.

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