Caitlin Clark brought a considerable amount of eyes to the WNBA this past season, which proved to be financially lucrative for the Indiana Fever star.

This week, Sportico released its Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2024 list, which measured their total earnings for the 12 months ending Dec. 31. This included both salary or winnings and endorsements. Clark was the lone basketball player to make the list.

Clark’s earnings for 2024, according to Sportico, was $11.1 million. Her WNBA salary, the publication stated, accounted for roughly $100,000 of the $11.1 million. This included, the report stated, a base salary of $76,535 and multiple performance bonus payments, including $10,300 for her All-WNBA first team selection.

The remaining $11 million of her 2024 earnings came from endorsements. The most most valuable endorsement deal, according to the report, was Nike.

In April, The Wall Street Journal reported Nike’s deal for Clark was worth up to $28 million over eight years. The Swoosh reportedly beat out several other potential bidders, including Puma, Adidas and Under Armour.

The deal, NBA insider Shams Charania reported via Twitter at the time, would also include a signature shoe.

Clark has long been aligned with Nike, first signing a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with the brand in October 2022. The hooper laced up several different models from Nike during her Iowa Hawkeyes playing days, mostly looks from the brand’s beloved Kobe franchise.

Though Nike has not yet released a Clark signature shoe, as a pro, she has continued to play a role in the buzz around the Kobe franchise with eye-catching player editions (PEs) and by wearing fan-favorite colorways. For instance, she debuted her first Nike Kobe PE in late July during an Indiana Fever practice, a Nike Kobe 5 Protro in the black and gold hues of her alma matter.

Aside from footwear, Nike celebrated Clark in October with a T-shirt commemorating her Rookie of the Year Award. The shirt, which is available via Nike.com for $40, features several of her rookie year accolades, including most points in a rookie season (769), most assists in a season (337) and more.

Some of Clark’s other high-profile deals in 2024 included Wilson Sporting Goods Co. (highlighted by multiple signature basketball collection releases), as well as Gatorade, State Farm and more.

In terms of viewership, the WNBA revealed in October that the full season — which included the regular season, playoffs and finals — averaged 1.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched full season on ESPN platforms ever.

What’s more, ESPN hosted the most-watched game of the regular season, a matchup between the Fever and the Chicago Sky in June, which averaged 2.3 million viewers.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

There are plenty of marketable athletes globally, but according to SportsPro, beloved gymnast Simone Biles is the most marketable of them all.

SportsPro, a London-based sports business media company, has revealed its list of the top 150 marketable athletes globally. Coming in at No. 1 is Biles, a seven-time Olympic gold medalist from Columbus, Ohio.

Each athlete on the list received a “Marketability Score,” which was derived from three scoring categories — Brand Strength, Total Addressable Market and Economics — and a possible total score of 100.

Brand Strength, according to SportsPro, was determined by several factors, including in-sport performance, momentum, values and more. The maximum score for this category was 35. Total Addressable Market, which also had a maximum score of 35, was determined by overall reach, attention growth, social sentiment and more. Finally, Economics, which had a maximum score of 30, was determined by market value, estimated worth and more.

Biles’ score was 96.16. Her Brand Strength mark was 35, Total Addressable Market was 31.55 and Economics was 29.61.

The decorated athlete is backed by several companies, including Athleta, inking a deal with the brand in April 2021 after leaving longtime sponsor Nike.

Coming in at No. 2 on the list was Brazilian soccer star Vinicius Junior (91.52), and rounding out the top five was NBA icon LeBron James (91.26), WNBA standout Caitlin Clark (90.26) and soccer megastar Lionel Messi (89.67).

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Update: Oct. 3, 2024

Less than a month after earning 2024 Associated Press WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, Caitlin Clark was named 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year.

The Indiana Fever guard was announced by the WNBA as the winner on Thursday, receiving 66 votes from a national panel of 67 sportswriters and broadcasters. Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky received one vote.

With Clark winning the award, Indiana now has back-to-back winners, with Aliyah Boston winning in 2023. Clark is the third Indiana player to win the award, the first being Tamika Catchings in 2002.

On its Nike Basketball and Nike Women accounts on Instagram, the athletic giant congratulated Clark in a post captioned “The collection keeps growing,” followed by a list of her accolades this season. The list was so long that Nike had to add more in the comment section.

What’s more, Nike has added a T-shirt commemorating Clark’s award win on Nike.com, which retails for $40.

What We Originally Reported on Sept. 22, 2024

After a stellar first season in the league, Caitlin Clark was named 2024 Associated Press WNBA Rookie of the Year.

The Indiana Fever guard earned the honor unanimously, the AP announced Sunday afternoon. With the honor, Clark is now the team’s second player to win the award, the first being her teammate Aliyah Boston in 2023.

What’s more, Clark was also named to the AP All-WNBA First Team and the AP All-Rookie Team.

As a rookie, Clark led the league in several statistical categories, including three-point field goals made (3.1 per game), assists (337) and assists per game (8.4 per game). She led all rookies in points (769) and points per game (769), as well as steals (53) and steals per game (1.3).

What’s more, with 337 assists on the season, she now holds the single-season assist record. On Sept. 13 against the Las Vegas Aces, she broke the record of 316, which was previously held by Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun. (Thomas also beat her previous record this season, and ended the 2024 regular season with 317.)

For all of these moments, Clark wore eye-catching Nike Kobe basketball shoes, whether it was a coveted colorway that once hit retail or a player edition (PE). Here are five from the hooper’s first season in the WNBA.

WNBA Debut

Clark made her WNBA regular season debut on May 14, 2024 against the Connecticut Sun. For her first game as a pro, the rookie has the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” laced up.

Assists Record

Clark added another accolade to her impressive rookie season on Sept. 13. While facing the Las Vegas Aces, she set the new WNBA single-season assists record, getting her 317th assist during the second quarter. On her feet, Clark had a PE of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro laced up. The look, which she has worn on the court before, was predominantly gray and white with hits of light blue throughout.

WNBA All-Star

For her first WNBA All-Star Game, Clark had on a special pair of Nike Kobe 6 Protro sneakers that were previously teased on Instagram by Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, that were created specifically for the event. The Nike Kobe 6 “WNBA All-Star” PE was executed in a bright red and green colorway.

First PE

In late July, Clark debuted her first Nike Kobe PE during an Indiana Fever practice, a Nike Kobe 5 Protro in the black and gold hues of her alma matter, the University of Iowa.

Another PE for the Star Rookie

For a mid-September matchup against the Aces, Clark had on an eye-catching Nike Kobe 6 Protro PE. The yellow hues used throughout made this stand out, as well as the black and yellow gradient on the uppers.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Caitlin Clark has added another accolade to her impressive rookie season.

While facing the Las Vegas Aces on Friday night, the Indiana Fever star set the new WNBA single-season assists record, getting her 317th assist during the second quarter. Clark passed Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun, who set the previous record of 316 during the 2023 season.

Clark ended the game — a 78-74 loss to the Aces — with nine assists and now has 321 for the season. The Fever will face the Dallas Wings on Saturday and the Washington Mystics on Thursday before the start of the playoffs.

To set the new WNBA single-season assists record, Clark had a player edition (PE) of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro laced up. The look, which she has worn on the court before, was predominantly gray and white with hits of light blue throughout.

She wears shoes from the Nike Kobe franchise on the court now, however Shams Charania, senior lead NBA insider for The Athletic and Stadium, reported in April that Clark — the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft — was on the verge of securing a deal with the Swoosh that included a signature shoe. In the days that followed, The Wall Street Journal reported Nike’s deal for Clark was worth up to $28 million over eight years.

At the draft, some of her peers suggested Clark was the most deserving of a signature shoe from their class. “Obviously she is an amazing player, but she has a great persona and she makes people want to follow her. It’s her emotion and her integrity. I really admire her,” Cameron Brink, who was selected No. 2 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks, told FN shortly after being drafted.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Caitlin Clark‘s Indiana Fever lost to the Las Vegas Aces Wednesday night for the 14th time in a row, a streak that dates back well before Clark joined the team, but a literal bright spot came in the form of the star rookie’s sneaker.

Clark took to the court in a new Nike Kobe 6 Protro player-exclusive colorway that stood out for its bright yellow hues. While the snakeskin-textured upper is rendered in a black and yellow gradient, the heel and sole unit both pop with a highlighter yellow. For the Swoosh and tongue branding, a more classic shade of yellow was used.

The Nike Kobe line is Clark’s go to during games, as she regularly wears the Kobe 5 Protro and Kobe 6 Protro. She received her first player-exclusive colorway in July with a Kobe 5 Protro featuring a different arrangement of black and yellow. During the WNBA All-Star Game, Clark was also one of the players to wear the Kobe 6 Protro colorway made specifically for the occasion.

In a press conference during All-Star weekend, Clark said:  “I’m a Kobe person, everybody knows that. It’s the best shoe, it’s not even close. I probably like the Kobe 6s the best, which are the ones I have on right now. I like the 5s as well, but the 6s are kind of my thing. Obviously just to wear his shoe, and what Vanessa has done, and what their family has done, and continuing his legacy. Not only within his shoe, but that whole foundation and the Kobe brand is pretty incredible. So I feel very lucky and fortunate to not only represent Nike but also their entire family.”

Nike has yet to give any indication that any of Clark’s player-exclusive Kobe sneakers will get a public release. After signing a reported 8-year, $28 million deal with Nike this year, Clark is widely expected to get her own signature sneaker in the near future.

In the loss, Clark put up 16 points while struggling with just 1 of 10 three point attempts made. For the opposition, fellow Nike athlete A’ja Wilson broke the single-season WNBA scoring record.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

The WNBA resumes play later this week after a break for the All-Star Game and Olympics, and Caitlin Clark made a visit to Yankee Stadium over the weekend prior to rejoining the Indiana Fever.

Prior to the Saturday game, which she watched with her boyfriend Connor McCaffery, Clark was given a tour of the stadium and met several New York Yankees players. Aaron Judge, a peer under the Nike umbrella as a Jordan Brand athlete, even gave her a pair of his own Air Jordan 3 cleats in a whopping men’s size 17.

The Air Jordan 3 cleats appear in a special player-edition colorway for Judge in white with Yankee blue accents including the branding, sockliner and heel stabilizer. Clark suggested her foot may take up half the space of the shoes, which isn’t far off, as she’s believed to wear a women’s size 9 or 10 (equivalent to a men’s 7.5 or 8.5).

Clark — who reportedly signed a new $28 million, 8-year deal with Nike after being an NIL athlete for the brand in college — recently revealed a Nike Kobe 5 featuring her first player-exclusive colorway. The gold and black sneaker matches the colors of her alma matter, the University of Iowa, and Clark said in a Tik-Tok video that she has another Kobe PE in a colorway more in line with her WNBA team. For the WNBA All-Star Game, Clark wore a Nike Kobe 6 in another colorway made exclusively for the game. It’s widely believed that Clark will eventually be given her own signature sneaker.

For the MLB All-Star Game, Judge was one of three players to wear an Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” cleat with a tongue patch commemorating the occasion.

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About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Caitlin Clark debuted her first-ever player exclusive Nike Kobe sneaker Tuesday during an Indiana Fever practice.

The Nike Kobe 5 Protro Caitlin Clark PE features the black and gold of the star WNBA rookie’s alma matter, the University of Iowa. Gold dominates the sneaker, making up most of the upper and the whole of the outsole. A gradient midsole fades from black to yellow, while the heel and collar appear in black. A metallic silver Swoosh also features black trim, while the tongue’s Kobe is rendered in black and his signature on the heel in gold.

In a TikTok posted by the Fever, Clark said she has another Kobe PE in a colorway more in line with her WNBA team.

Clark is well known for wearing Nike Kobe sneakers in her career from college through to the WNBA. She tends to favor the Nike Kobe 5 Protro and Nike Kobe 6 Protro, and for her first WNBA game she wore the latter in its famed “Grinch” colorway. For her first WNBA All-Star appearance over the weekend, Clark was one of several players to wear a new Kobe 6 Protro “WNBA All-Star” colorway.

In a press conference Friday, Clark said of her shoe preferences: “I’m a Kobe person, everybody knows that. It’s the best shoe, it’s not even close. I probably like the Kobe 6s the best, which are the ones I have on right now. I like the 5s as well, but the 6s are kind of my thing. Obviously just to wear his shoe, and what Vanessa has done, and what their family has done, and continuing his legacy. Not only within his shoe, but that whole foundation and the Kobe brand is pretty incredible. So I feel very lucky and fortunate to not only represent Nike but also their entire family.”

After being signed to an NIL deal with Nike for her final two years playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Clark reportedly signed a new eight-year, $28 million contract with the Swoosh heading into her professional career. It’s widely expected that Clark will eventually be given her own signature sneaker.

There has not yet been any indication that Clark’s Kobe 5 PE will release to the public.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

With WNBA All-Star Weekend underway, No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark is set to participate for the first time in style. 

Clark took to the court Friday for a Team WNBA practice session at Phoenix’s Footprint Center. On her feet were a special pair of Nike Kobe 6 Protro sneakers created specifically for the event. Originally teased by Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, Thursday on Instagram, the “WNBA All-Star” Nike Kobe 6 player exclusives feature a bright red-and-green colorway. The scaly, snake-inspired sneaker includes an insole graphic with “ASW24” text, denoting its connection to the yearly event. In addition to wearing the exclusive pair at practice, Clark also shared a closer look on her Instagram story, tagging Vanessa in the post.

Clark wasn’t the only player to lace up the Kobe 6 exclusives during practice. The Rookie of the Year contender’s Team WNBA teammate Arike Ogunbowale also wore the pair and shared the sneakers on her Instagram story, giving the best look yet at the shoe’s details.

In a Friday press conference (below), Clark was asked about her favorite Nike Kobe sneakers and spoke about the late NBA legend’s impact on her. “I’m a Kobe person, everybody knows that,” she told reporters. “It’s the best shoe, it’s not even close. I probably like the Kobe 6s the best, which are the ones I have on right now. I like the 5s as well, but the 6s are kind of my thing. Obviously just to wear his shoe, and what Vanessa has done, and what their family has done, and continuing his legacy. Not only within his shoe, but that whole foundation and the Kobe brand is pretty incredible. So I feel very lucky and fortunate to not only represent Nike but also their entire family.”

The WNBA All-Star Game takes place Saturday, July 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET. and will air live on ABC. It pits WNBA All-Stars who are competing in the Olympics as part of the USA women’s national team against those All-Stars who are not. Clark will team with rival Angel Reese as part of Team WNBA, while the U.S. women’s team will be led by players including A’ja Wilson, Kahleah Copper, Jewell Loyd and Sabrina Ionescu.

While readers shouldn’t expect this Nike Kobe 6 “WNBA All-Star” PE to hit retail, there are a number of other Kobe releases in the works including the Nike Kobe 5 “X-ray” and the Nike Kobe 8 “What the Kobe.”

Ahead of the WNBA All-Star Game tip-off tomorrow, the players — including Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Marina Mabrey, Brionna Jones, DeWanna Bonner and others — showed their off-court style as they walked the event’s orange carpet at Phoenix Convention Center on July 18.

Read on to see the shoes and fashion worn by Clark, Wilson, Van Lith, Jones and Bonner to learn more about how to watch the WNBA All-Star Game.

Caitlin Clark

Star rookie Caitlin Clark made a case for neutrals in head-to-toe Versace on the 2024 WNBA All-Star orange carpet. She paired semi-sheer, slightly sparkly sand-colored long-sleeve mini-dress with sleek off-white sling-back pointed-toe Gianni Ribbon Pumps, featuring a dainty bow with a small gold Versace logo at the toes. The Indiana Fever guard also carried a coordinating off-white handbag from the fashion house for an trendy yet classy look styled by Adri Zgirdea.

A’ja Wilson

Five-time WNBA All-Star A’ja Wilson paired barely there black stiletto sandals with a custom one-shoulder netted black dress for a perfect summer resort wear getup. Her red-carpet classic footwear also included a stylish nod to the single leg compression sleeve she often wears on the court; a black cord extending from one shoe’s ankle strap, wrapped up her calf.  Wilson collaborated on her look, which she aptly called “nothing but net,” with her stylist Amadi Brooks.

Shakira Austin

Washington Mystics player Shakira Austin went Sporty Spice in a trendy cropped two-tone neutral moto jacket and coordinating mini skirt. She completed the outfit with auburn knee-high pointed-toe heeled boots, tinted red oblong shades and a small sparkly beaded handbag. The eye-catching accessories of her on-trend look—her boots and sunglasses—coordinated rather perfectly with the orange carpet.

Hailey Van Lith

College basketball player Hailey Van Lith showcased a fresh imagining of the invisible shoe trend. She paired a cropped grey Alexander Wang short suit with a pair of stiletto sandals featuring black studded soles and two slim clear straps. She gave the ‘fit a prep-school touch with a high pony tail, white collared shirt butted to the top. Lith who will be participating in the Olympics for the first time during the 3 x 3 basketball game.

Brionna Jones

Brionna Jones knows it’s a “Brat” girl summer. The Connecticut Sun player paired a lime green knitted bodycon midi dress with trendy clear sandals, featuring a clear high block heel and see-through PVC straps across the toes and ankles. She completed her trendy, creative look with a mini electric blue ostrich feather clutch and a single diamond tennis bracelet.

DeWanna Bonner

DeWanna Bonner chose elegant glamour, accentuating her 6′ 4″ frame in a long silky dress printed with watercolor butterflies, a side slit and a fluffy pink halter collar. She slipped on classic black leather pointed-toe pumps with an approximately 3.5-inch stiletto heel to further elongate her legs. She posed on the orange carpet with her fiancée and Connecticut Sun teammate Alyssa Thomas, who wore a double-breasted all-black suit with a subtle diamond-encrusted Olympics rings necklace peeking out. The power couple will face off as opponents during the WNBA All-Star Game.

How To Watch The Game

Clark, Bonner, and Jones will join Team WNBA, while Wilson will represent Team USA during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game. The big match kicks off tomorrow, Sat., July 20, at 8:30 pm ET and will air on ESPN and ABC. The 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge will take place today.

Team USA will then head to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Paris 2024 Olympics, which runs from July 26 to Aug. 11. The first US women’s basketball matchup is against Japan on July 29, followed by Belgium on Aug. 1.