Fans are upset about Nike‘s latest move.
On April 17, the brand announced signing Caitlin Clark to an eight-figure deal and her own signature shoe. Before playing her first professional game, Clark now becomes the third active WNBA player with a signature shoe. The other two are from the New York Liberty: Sabrina Ionescu with Nike and Breanna Stewart with Puma.
Caitlin Clark is expected to receive a signature shoe from Nike, per @ShamsCharania
Here would be the list of active WNBA players with a current signature shoe:
– Caitlin Clark
– Sabrina Ionescu
– Breanna Stewart pic.twitter.com/zSkN5VAPcD— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 18, 2024
In a league of 70% Black women, the majority of the coverage and deals like the one noted above often go to the game’s White stars.
“Even watching a couple of games, say a Black athlete is having a phenomenal game, doing everything right,” Rhyne Howard told rolling out after being the Atlanta Dream’s No. 1 draft pick in April 2022, “they don’t talk about them after the game; they go and talk continuously about somebody else just because they’re a common name.
“I don’t like that, honestly.
“I feel like we’re already a minority, and we already don’t get enough respect. When people are constantly looking for our White counterparts, I guess it hurts a little bit because we’re working equally as hard, if not more, to try to like, even be in the same conversations. It’s just weird.”
Howard has since gone on to become a two-time WNBA All-Star and was the 2022 Rookie of the Year in her two seasons as a pro. This past offseason, she worked as an assistant coach on the University of Florida women’s basketball staff to avoid playing overseas. Howard is signed to the Jordan Brand but does not have a signature shoe.
In Clark’s particular case, fans are looking directly at Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson. Wilson signed with Nike in 2018 and has since been named to five All-Star teams, two MVPs, and two championships. She also helped lead Team USA to an Olympic gold medal in the summer of 2021. Wilson has not yet been given a signature shoe from Nike. She has had a couple of Nike colorways but not her own signature shoe.
She posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the news of Clark getting her shoe: “Always remember what is delayed is not denied.”
Always remember what is delayed is not denied …✨🤍
— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) April 18, 2024
😂😂😂😂 Sydney!! https://t.co/Uw4qOVpQOD pic.twitter.com/KQnsCCcBTH
— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) April 18, 2024
Wilson has a strong argument for being the face of the WNBA, as she and Stewart have battled for the title ever since the two joined the league. On social media, she shows her personality and is a very marketable figure. She’s had a cameo in a Saweetie music video, is on the bag of Ruffles twists, and has a New York Times best-selling book with Dear Black Girls.
A’ja Wilson, who is a 2-time league MVP, 2-time WNBA champion, 2-time DPOY, a Finals MVP, a 5 time WNBA All Star, and a best-selling author, is probably somewhere like … https://t.co/CsIXP3ksKx pic.twitter.com/9eBMdC9Nec
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) April 18, 2024
Me walking into the Nike offices to explain why A’ja Wilson should have a signature shoe pic.twitter.com/8O64wg18UE
— Tyler DeLuca (@TylerDeLuca) April 18, 2024
Do not make this a debate about the marketability of A'ja Wilson.
There is no debate about the marketability of A'ja Wilson.
A'ja Wilson should be viewed as the most marketable player in the W.
This is about a failure to recognize her star power. pic.twitter.com/aE6Ymtthoc
— Sean Hurd (@seanahurd) April 18, 2024
63 Responses
If black people boycott and stop buying Nike, they will give more respect. We have to hit them where it hurts… In the pocket.
Indeeeeddddd, my ppls wake upppp
Every one needs to stop crying Nike can do what the hell they want just because u blacks cry all the time about everything is ridiculous u need to pay attention to all the blacks that become in the every year in sports all u people do is cry about what ain’t handed to u its sick stop ur bitching and give thanks to what u crybaby idiots get now stfup u make me sick
Eat a dick bitch😃
Looks like you’re the one crying talking about what”blacks” do like a lil b***** lol mad cause dont nobody wanna see all this unathletic- ass “YT hype”!! that shit is fraud!! Lol leave something for the baby to do!! You lil b*****!! 👶
Handed? Who handed what to Miss Wilson? Who has accomplished more? Your superior mindset is showing! Get over yourself! Nike didn’t learn from Alison Felix who left them!
Jack you are a Bitch, say that to a real black man, and watch him STOMP YOUR PUSSY ASS IN THE GROUND. BITCH ASS !!!
I’ll stand accused!!!
Yea, beat your chest. Mmmm real man!
You’re ignorant, and you’re missing the entire point.
Your segregationist mindset is showing up bright 👍🏾. The disparity in this situation is clear and being called out, yet you, like so many others who think that those not like you can not reasonably and intelligently associate behaviors with ethnic similarities will still, as you have done, double down on said actions with your beliefs in which you lack the ability to hide from those you clearly oppose for every reason that benefits you and your people as if the history of your colonial ancestors isn’t one of a people who as you said “do whatever they want” which is why you clearly support Nike’s decision. Worst part of it all is you, while in the comfort of being able to stick your chest out through your fone, have not what it requires for you to stand on your words whilst saying it directly to anyone’s face. You could charge me with said accusation but unlike you,my comments are clearly directed to specifically you so there’s no misunderstanding. #FFR I’m always game if you have any more #colonizerKen behaviors to exude so don’t be shy 😁👌🏾
Pussy, right is right, she is better than all of them, she has the hardware to prove it, and she deserves what she has earned, that shit was given to them because of skin color, you know it I know it
Fukk off loser. We dont cry. Them are facts. We the best in the league. Pay attention
Nike and yourself are showing your true colors. All African American WNBA players should stop wearing Nike products. As a African American male, I will stop buying Nike products. ( I’ve been buying Nike for 40 years) Under Armor here I come! So we won’t have to bitch Karen, we will just put a hurt on their wallets!
At 72 and a former athlete and vet. All I have to say is wait for new season in WNBA .As I found out when I stepped on a division one field I learned from experience the speed 5x faster than I’ve ever witnessed. My point is let’s see how the speed of the WNBA is a lot faster than than College.
The best player in the world should have shoe deal..ya need white hope ain’t win shit
RACIST!!!!!!!
FuckYou and NIKE
Shut up you b***h and go do your cousin
Wtf? Way out of line. Do a little research on A’ja before you make stupid comments.
Fuck you Jack ASS…. You’re just another Underachieving Racist Fuck who is “CRYING” because you can’t do anything of substance your damn self. GTFOH
This is EXACTLY the reason Black people NEED to boycott NIKE. If our athletes are NOT valued our MONEY need not be spent. The Alabama bus boycott worked when they realized how much of their profit margin came from the people they did not value. FORCE CHANGE.
I agree it their money and they can spend it where they want. Catlin set all kind of records so she deserves the respect. Quit tying to think that everything is don’t because people are prejudice. Damn, before you know it whites are going to complain because there are no whites on the Olympic 400 meter relay teams.
EAD & stop shooting up elementary school.
⬆️That Part!⬆️ Our “black dollars” talk!
Swear
I agree 👍🏿 💯…..smh, I’m not supporting Nike anymore until I see a change.ijs
Nice try… racist
We never stick together long enough to get any results.
Don’t blame Niki, they see the popularity of Catlin Clark and know she will make money for them. Catlin did break a lot of records this year so she does deserve the shoe contract. We all know that if Catlin was black she wouldn’t be as popular because we know a lot of Trump supporters are racist and wouldn’t support’s her, sad but true.
You are so wrong Trump supporters are not racists we’re republicans! Democrats were the original Klu kux klan! Republicans gave the blacks voting rights and helped the slaves move North to freedom! We need Trump to eat China’s lunch!
REALLY imeanlike REALLY, Larry Bird has to be ROTFL
Wow, obviously you missed the boat on the Serina Williams building built by Nike and her endorsements. Take the blinders off.
All they see is what they ain’t handed to them blacks become millionaires every damn year in sports but u don’t hear thank u for changing my life u hear u ain’t wiping my ass boo hoo hoo makes me sick
They are millionaires because they have invested time in perfecting their talents, and who the hell should they thank? Owners should thank them for making them millions of dollars yearly. And your dumbass who’s probably the biggest cheerleader, with your mouth on every All-Stars nut sack. But you keep your mouth full while you kale shit online you coward
I agree. If Black people would stop buying Nike ass crap maybe they might just listen and start doing the right thing. Money talks, BS walks. Wake up Nike !
It’s a shame and goes to show how determined Whites are in not just letting hatred of “people of color” go. The subliminal hatred is as bad as in your face hatred. It should not be tolerated. Period!
How? Because Caitlin is popular?
There it is right there! We, I’m male, need to stop buying and going where we’re not wanted or respected! Now!
The blueprint for shutting down all forms racism has already been laid out by the Elders. In addition, by now, Nike needs to be challenged business wise. Shut them down.
It’s very simple as Black people if we don’t endorse this shoe in the streets it’s just another nice shoe sitting on shelves in stores. Believe what you will we set the streets on what’s cool and what’s not!!!! If there’s a real bias in the market we will let you know!!!! Check the streets this time next year!!!!!
I don’t like your fashion at all
Well if other races buy Caitlins shoe then what? I don’t understand the need to tear caitlin down because she’s popular. No one watches the WNBA. Aja hasn’t changed that. Caitlin might.
And also set the streets on crime shootings gangs and general bullshit!
U people need to be thankful for what u got and get not everything is going to be handed to u just because ur black Nike can do what the hell they want to do look at all the blacks that do have endorsements from Nike but no u ain’t going to be happy about that my god a white person finally got one let’s all cry and look like idiots blacks are made millionaires every year in sports but no that’s nothing to talk about lets just cry and bitch maybe we will get our asses wiped just the hell up and be thankful for what u got or get and stop all this it’s because they are black maybe learn how to act and not cry u idiots might be looked at different
Another racist maga idiot who doesnt know anything.
Where did the politics come in to play? Democrat ass wipe
Looking at the women Nike already gave signature shoes to Clark fits that description of course race has a part in the matter simply because race plays a part in all things no matter which rase you happen to be in let’s come back at judge this situation in a couple months Clark shoe will be the number one saler of all the rest watch she’s the hottest thing since fish grease I men 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
You sound racist
I find it funny with “be thankful with what you get” how about getting what you deserve/earned! Nike is putting a white face out there to make money. She is a decent player,but is she worthy of being put in the same conversation as the greatest regardless of gender or color?
Clark is a smart girl. She worked hard on her skills set. Probably the hardest workout in college women’s basketball. Being able to shoot logo 3’s made her different from other players and highly marketable. Big companies knows the market. Just the way business works.
Who cares. Went to a d played for Iow State @@@@ Iowa. What was she supposed to do turn down the money. Everybody if they are honest knows white face sells. Maybe the sisters will start getting the big cash now.
Look…Chucky knows how to use swear words.
I am afan of. Miss Wilson I am from s.c.Ann I am a product of the 60s.Saying all that you have too under stand Before openeing you’re mouth.Mis Wilson will get hers even if it’s not from them yes yes. 😀😀😀😀
ICE CUBE OFFERED CATILYN CLARK 5 MILLION DOLLARS TO PLAY IN THE BIG3. HE DIDN’T OFFER THAT TO AJAI WILSON GO FIGURE.
Nike is going to spend the money on what they can make money on. Pure and simple. It’s not about color of skin, it’s about the money
Stop making it about race. She went to the wrong school. If she is as good as Clark, she should have gone to a school that cares about women’s basketball and gives a big stage for great talent. She would have been a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond. Iowa would have embraced her with open arms and would have treated her like a queen. Look at how B1G schools treat their student athletes! Juju Watkins will do great in the big ten next year and everyone will be gunning to take her and Southern Cal down. They would also celebrate her outstanding play.
Wilson is obviously a very good player. But how many people even know who she is. Does she fill up the arena? Do her jerseys sell out? Does she stay and sign autographs for the kids? Nike knows that Caitlin will sell shoes. That’s what the shoe deal is about. Money, plain and simple.
I had to read the article to find out who a’ja Wilson, maybe that’s the reason … 🤔
You know. White people have been boycotting Nike for years because of their slave labor practices with minority peoples in China. Interesting that black people overwhelmingly continue to support Nike.
Let’s try to achieve the color blindness that you seek. Clark does own multiple alltime scoring records (that means she has the most, some men and women both). 70 percent black league. Hmmm! What if the boycott extends to all league games? Just shut them all down. Find something else to do. I have. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. 😉
Nike doesn’t make a decision like this unless they are pretty sure that they will get a nice return on investment.
I see your point however out of the 26 signiture shoes in the NBA all are black except gannis who is greek,steve nash who is whitr,and jason kidd who is mixed.
Not to start a debate but name me 5 other white people who have shoes named after them. I’ll wait. Yes there are many great athletes who deserve the honor but what Clark did for woman’s basketball was monumental. Nike sees dollar signs and we’re not the only ones after her. How many more people are going to watch the wnba now? How many more young women are going to play ball now? Sure she never won a championship but look at her team. It wasn’t loaded with McDonald’s all American players like UCLA and UConn. It has nothing to do with her race. It’s she is going to put butts in seats and dollars in the pocket of whoever is involved. Lebron has his own shoe, penny hardaway had his own shoe. Magic Johnson had his converse. Of course Jordan’s ,Irving’s, etc. what about Larry bird? Wasn’t he one of the greatest of all time? I’m just saying give her kudos and move on. It’s not about privilege at this point, it’s about spreading more hate to an already torn society.