WNBA Fans Rethink Caitlin Clark’s $28 Million Deal Following Stephen Curry’s Viral Nod WNBA fans paused in addition to cheering when Steph Curry made a surprise shout-out that went viral online. Curry praised Caitlin Clark’s shooting range in the viral video, which reopened discussions about the significance of Clarke’s eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike.
Let’s now put things in perspective. At about $3.5 million annually, this contract is the richest in women’s basketball history, and by any measure, that’s a big sum. However, it feels like Clark’s deal—or rather, her lack of a signature shoe—is failing when people see Steph effortlessly put up three after three and then compliment Clark. Let’s face it: she is not comparable to Michael Jordan. Many have pointed out that Nike made a big mistake by not releasing Clark’s shoes exclusively, especially since A’ja Wilson and Paige Bueckers have already received theirs.
Social media was ablaze with fans. “Shouldn’t she be in the same endorsement league if Steph Curry is referring to her as a peer?” some cheekily asked. Others adopted a more scathing position: “Why isn’t Nike making money? She’s the sexiest basketball star on the planet right now.” A few remarks on forums expressed annoyance with market power: “Caitlin brought the WNBA back into the public eye.” Why isn’t she making as much money as Michael Jackson did during his time? Fans may not be aware of how gender dynamics and various eras are reflected in sports marketing.
The analogy to Jordan isn’t totally accurate, though. Even MJ’s contract, back in the 1980s, was designed with an aggressive branding strategy and a profit share. Despite its strength, Clark’s package lacks the long-term revenue-sharing punch.
Nevertheless, the emotional response says a lot. People are talking about respect, not just money. TV ratings broke records, jersey sales increased, and the league has seen a significant boost in revenue due to the “Caitlin Clark effect.” However, some fans believe that her endorsement return simply does not match the value she has contributed.
Curry’s viral moment honed this conversation rather than starting it. Suddenly, the issue is not just whether Clark merits the attention, but also whether the industry is prepared to support her wholeheartedly. And truthfully? She certainly deserved it if you’ve watched her—really watched her.
