Caitlin Clark's sponsorship deals before entering the WNBA

[Franisdaman]

As you have probably have seen, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert thinks Caitlin Clark got sponsorships because of the WNBA platform.

Here were Caitlin's sponsorships before entering the WNBA.

Click or tap on image ONCE or TWICE for a larger view.

Source:

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Hawkeye54545]

If most of us here were as bad at our jobs as Cathy Englebert is at hers we wouldn't have jobs.

 

[nu2u]

If most of us here were as bad at our jobs as Cathy Englebert is at hers we wouldn't have jobs.

The history of professional athletic associations shows that the greatest growth and progress occurred under the leadership of strong Commissioners. The WNBA is fractured and failing to maximize their growth potential. Engelbert is a big reason why. Remove her and go forward.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

The history of professional athletic associations shows that the greatest growth and progress occurred under the leadership of strong Commissioners. The WNBA is fractured and failing to maximize their growth potential. Engelbert is a big reason why. Remove her and go forward.

The history of professional athletic associations shows that the greatest growth and progress occurred under the leadership of strong Commissioners. The WNBA is fractured and failing to maximize their growth potential. Engelbert is a big reason why. Remove her and go forward.

This. The crazy thing is the leagues owners (her bosses) have put up with this up until now. I can't believe these owners now dropping 250million for a new franchise will continue down this path. She been silent for most of the last 2 seasons through all the turmoil, and then she makes those comments to the union rep going into a negotiation period. Clearly, she's either not all there or she has a VERY inflated sense of her own relevance.

 

[nu2u]

The most baffling thing about Engelbert - especially now considering her derogatory Caitlin Clark comment- is that she was a career accountant prior to being named WNBA Commissioner. Analyzing and understanding numbers is an accountant’s expertise.

If you are Commissioner, how do you look at Clark’s incredible impact numbers and dismiss them so easily? Inexcusable and kind of bizarre.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

The most baffling thing about Engelbert - especially now considering her derogatory Caitlin Clark comment- is that she was a career accountant prior to being named WNBA Commissioner. Analyzing and understanding numbers is an accountant’s expertise.

If you are Commissioner, how do you look at Clark’s incredible impact numbers and dismiss them so easily? Inexcusable and kind of bizarre.

I have to assume, (given her background) that she is aware, and she's trying to project a narrative going into the negotiations. She's being called out by a lot of the talking heads now for her brain dead comments, so her future public comments will be very scrutinized. SVP for one called her statement about CC22 "preposterous", as if "Iowa never happened".

 

[nu2u]

I have to assume, (given her background) that she is aware, and she's trying to project a narrative going into the negotiations. She's being called out by a lot of the talking heads now for her brain dead comments, so her future public comments will be very scrutinized. SVP for one called her statement about CC22 "preposterous", as if "Iowa never happened".

I agree that alternative motives are likely in play but assuming her narrative so far is intentional, given the backlash sparked by Collier’s revelation, it doesn’t appear to be winning much favor with her negotiating partners.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

I agree that alternative motives are likely in play but assuming her narrative so far is intentional, given the backlash sparked by Collier’s revelation, it doesn’t appear to be winning much favor with her negotiating partners.

Agreed. It wouldn't surprise me at all if she was removed if the CBA talks bog down. Its obvious the players don't respect or trust her. I can't imagine ownership, (especially the new teams) are thrilled what their investment is lookig like if they don't play next season.

 

[Franisdaman]

Caitlin joined fellow Hawkeye Chris Rickert (pictured far left) and the Wilson basketball team earlier this year for the season 2 launch of their product line.

Click or tap on images once or twice for a LARGER view.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

Full text of tweet:

How big is Caitlin Clark on the LPGA?

Last year, according to media data tracked by Gainbridge, there were 395 television segments that mentioned Caitlin Clark and The Annika. On the pro-am day alone, there were 2,693 posts on X mentioning Caitlin Clark playing in the pro-am that generated 241,704 engagements and 18,325,849 impressions.

The tournament's Instagram account saw a 591 percent increase in views year-over-year, while the tournament's website saw traffic increase by 121 percent.

 

[IA79Cam]

This. The crazy thing is the leagues owners (her bosses) have put up with this up until now. I can't believe these owners now dropping 250million for a new franchise will continue down this path. She been silent for most of the last 2 seasons through all the turmoil, and then she makes those comments to the union rep going into a negotiation period. Clearly, she's either not all there or she has a VERY inflated sense of her own relevance.

She's doing what the league owners want

 

[Franisdaman]

The full text of the tweet:

Panini America is excited to introduce a very special collectible product – Caitlin Clark Chronicled.

Chronicled is a 22-page premium keepsake with incredible photography depicting some of @CaitlinClark22's favorite moments on and off the court from her first two years in the WNBA.

From the court to the red carpet and everything in between, each keepsake includes eight (8) – four (4) card packs - 32 total trading cards randomly inserted that are part of a 100-card collectible set.

Caitlin Clark Chronicled is available now.

Visit http://paniniamerica.net to learn more.

 

[Franisdaman]

This sold for $850.

https://www.paniniamerica.net/caitlin-clark-autographed-jordan-brand-2025-wnba-all-star-game-orange-victory-jersey-limited-edition-to-50.html

 

[Hawksfor3]

The full text of the tweet:

Panini America is excited to introduce a very special collectible product – Caitlin Clark Chronicled.

Chronicled is a 22-page premium keepsake with incredible photography depicting some of @CaitlinClark22's favorite moments on and off the court from her first two years in the WNBA.

From the court to the red carpet and everything in between, each keepsake includes eight (8) – four (4) card packs - 32 total trading cards randomly inserted that are part of a 100-card collectible set.

Caitlin Clark Chronicled is available now.

Visit http://paniniamerica.net to learn more.

Watched a podcast on this earlier today. Dick's Sporting Goods has this up for Pre-Order for $85. Shipping on Feb. 2-4 I believe.

 

[Franisdaman]

Watched a podcast on this earlier today. Dick's Sporting Goods has this up for Pre-Order for $85. Shipping on Feb. 2-4 I believe.

she is a money making machine

i hope she is getting paid fairly for the money she's making for these companies

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

cool video:

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Pawkhawk1]

Thanks for posting this stuff Fran.
Much appreciated

 

[Hawksfor3]

Have you gotten yours? I haven't gotten mine.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

Capital One endorsement deal....

Check this out & watch:

 

[HawksRule25]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

From the linked story:

Clark’s ability to help increase ratings and revenue across the W and women’s sports — all 44 of her regular season games in 2026 will be nationally televised — has also made the 24-year-old a corporate favorite. Despite making an estimated $119,000 last season in on-court earnings, Clark ranked 6th in Sportico’s 15 highest-paid female athletes of 2025 by pulling in nearly $16 million in endorsements from companies like Nike, Gatorade and State Farm.

Clark’s final months as a Hawkeye is when she first aligned with Xfinity and Comcast, which also owns NBC, which will be broadcasting WNBA games for the first time since 2002 as part of the league’s new $2.2 billion media rights deal. The Xfinity partnership allows Clark to not only feature prominently in Xfinity ad campaigns throughout the season, but gave her the opportunity to twice serve as a guest analyst on the NBA on NBC’s “Sunday Night Basketball” studio show. She appeared alongside Maria Taylor, Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady at Madison Square Garden for the Knicks-Lakers game on Feb. 1 and in Oklahoma City on March 29 for the Thunder’s game against New York.

Since Clark’s player exclusive gray and light blue colorway of Nike’s Kobe 6 shoe was released in November, it’s been the most-worn shoe by NBA players in every month of this current season, with more than 100 different players having suited up in the kicks at some point, according to sneaker data site Colendri. If pro player interest is any indication, the Caitlin 1 may become Nike’s next blockbuster hit.

The Nike Kobe 6 Protro Caitlin Clark shoes of Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings are seen against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter at Golden 1 Center on January 16, 2026 in Sacramento, Calif

Caitlin Clark is a marketing juggernaut — but says winning will unlock more

As Clark grows as an endorsement sensation and business mogul, she's well aware that on-court achievement will unlock so much more off the court.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Franisdaman]

Highest Paid Female Athletes in 2025:

$31.0M:..... Coco Gauff
$30.0M:.... Aryna Sabalenka
$23.1M:..... Iga Swiatek
$23.0M:..... Eileen Gu
$20.6M:..... Zheng Qinwen
$16.1M:........ Caitlin Clark
___________________________________

1. Coco Gauff: $31 million

Prize money: $8 million | Endorsements: $23 million | Age: 21

Gauff added a second Grand Slam to her résumé with a French Open title, on top of her 2023 U.S. Open win, although she failed to get past the quarterfinals in the other three major events. She partnered with New Balance and Miu Miu this year for a tennis-inspired apparel collection that hit stores in September. Early in the year, Gauff invested in startup women’s basketball league Unrivaled.

2. Aryna Sabalenka: $30 million

Prize money: $15 million | Endorsements: $15 million | Age: 27

Sabalenka finished the year No. 1 in the WTA Tour rankings for the second straight season after reaching nine tournament finals, with four wins. The wins and ranking triggered lucrative bonuses from her biggest sponsor, Nike. Her other sponsors include Wilson, Audemars Piguet, Whoop, Electrolit and IM8. She is set for a pair of exhibitions this month: the Garden Cup in New York City, as well as an updated “Battle of the Sexes” against Australian Nick Kyrgios.

3. Iga Świątek: $23.1 million

Prize money: $10.1 million | Endorsements: $13 million | Age: 24

The Polish-born Świątek finished second in the year-end WTA rankings behind Sablenka for the second straight season, and she also sits just behind her for career prize money. Świątek has been world No. 1 for a total of 125 weeks, which leads active players and is seventh all-time. Swiss brand On signed her in 2023 to help launch its tennis apparel line.

4. Eileen Gu: $23 million

Prize money: $20,000 | Endorsements: $23 million | Age: 22

There is not a lot of money to be made on the snow in freestyle skiing; injuries limited Gu to one event so far this year, where she earned in prize money, after winning $102,000 in 2024, but sponsorships send her near the top of the list. Her latest big-name partner is TCL, which joins Porsche, Red Bull, Bosideng, Anta, IWC and Mengniu in her portfolio. In June, she became a global ambassador for The Snow League, the recently launched professional league for snowboarding and freeskiing founded by Shaun White.

5. Zheng Qinwen: $20.6 million

Prize money: $1.6 million | Endorsements: $19 million | Age: 23

Injuries slowed Zheng this year after her breakout 2024 that included her first Slam final at the Australian Open and an Olympic gold medal—the first by an Asian tennis player, male or female, in singles. The Olympic gold triggered an avalanche of deals, and she counts more than a dozen endorsements, including Nike, Alipay, Audi, Dior, Gatorade and Rolex.

6. Caitlin Clark: $16.1 million

Salary/bonus: $119,000 | Endorsements: $16 million | Age: 23

In August, Nike announced Clark as its latest signature athlete, with a new signature logo, a collection of sportswear and apparel, and a signature sneaker to debut in 2026. She joined fellow Nike athletes A’ja Wilson and Ionescu as active WNBA players with signature sneakers. Clark’s other sponsors include Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Panini America, Hy-Vee, Xfinity, Gainbridge and Lilly.

Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2025: Top 15 All Make $10M+

The top 15 earned an estimated $249 million this year, and the cutoff to make the cut jumped from $6.7 million in 2024 to $10.1 million.

www.sportico.com

 

[Mister_Man]

Three years too late, as Nike laments on their stock free fall. I hope they cleaned house.

 

[Mister_Man]

Highest Paid Female Athletes in 2025:

$31.0M:..... Coco Gauff
$30.0M:.... Aryna Sabalenka
$23.1M:..... Iga Swiatek
$23.0M:..... Eileen Gu
$20.6M:..... Zheng Qinwen
$16.1M:........ Caitlin Clark
___________________________________

1. Coco Gauff: $31 million

Prize money: $8 million | Endorsements: $23 million | Age: 21

Gauff added a second Grand Slam to her résumé with a French Open title, on top of her 2023 U.S. Open win, although she failed to get past the quarterfinals in the other three major events. She partnered with New Balance and Miu Miu this year for a tennis-inspired apparel collection that hit stores in September. Early in the year, Gauff invested in startup women’s basketball league Unrivaled.

2. Aryna Sabalenka: $30 million

Prize money: $15 million | Endorsements: $15 million | Age: 27

Sabalenka finished the year No. 1 in the WTA Tour rankings for the second straight season after reaching nine tournament finals, with four wins. The wins and ranking triggered lucrative bonuses from her biggest sponsor, Nike. Her other sponsors include Wilson, Audemars Piguet, Whoop, Electrolit and IM8. She is set for a pair of exhibitions this month: the Garden Cup in New York City, as well as an updated “Battle of the Sexes” against Australian Nick Kyrgios.

3. Iga Świątek: $23.1 million

Prize money: $10.1 million | Endorsements: $13 million | Age: 24

The Polish-born Świątek finished second in the year-end WTA rankings behind Sablenka for the second straight season, and she also sits just behind her for career prize money. Świątek has been world No. 1 for a total of 125 weeks, which leads active players and is seventh all-time. Swiss brand On signed her in 2023 to help launch its tennis apparel line.

4. Eileen Gu: $23 million

Prize money: $20,000 | Endorsements: $23 million | Age: 22

There is not a lot of money to be made on the snow in freestyle skiing; injuries limited Gu to one event so far this year, where she earned in prize money, after winning $102,000 in 2024, but sponsorships send her near the top of the list. Her latest big-name partner is TCL, which joins Porsche, Red Bull, Bosideng, Anta, IWC and Mengniu in her portfolio. In June, she became a global ambassador for The Snow League, the recently launched professional league for snowboarding and freeskiing founded by Shaun White.

5. Zheng Qinwen: $20.6 million

Prize money: $1.6 million | Endorsements: $19 million | Age: 23

Injuries slowed Zheng this year after her breakout 2024 that included her first Slam final at the Australian Open and an Olympic gold medal—the first by an Asian tennis player, male or female, in singles. The Olympic gold triggered an avalanche of deals, and she counts more than a dozen endorsements, including Nike, Alipay, Audi, Dior, Gatorade and Rolex.

6. Caitlin Clark: $16.1 million

Salary/bonus: $119,000 | Endorsements: $16 million | Age: 23

In August, Nike announced Clark as its latest signature athlete, with a new signature logo, a collection of sportswear and apparel, and a signature sneaker to debut in 2026. She joined fellow Nike athletes A’ja Wilson and Ionescu as active WNBA players with signature sneakers. Clark’s other sponsors include Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Panini America, Hy-Vee, Xfinity, Gainbridge and Lilly.

Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2025: Top 15 All Make $10M+

The top 15 earned an estimated $249 million this year, and the cutoff to make the cut jumped from $6.7 million in 2024 to $10.1 million.

www.sportico.com

Whoever made that Nike deal for CC....