Caitlin Clark vouches support from Dave Portnoy that Nike deal should be 4x more, while Devin Booker catches stray

After news broke of her $338,000 rookie contract with the Indiana Fever, reports indicate that Caitlin Clark is on the brink of finalizing a monumental deal with Nike worth $28 million over eight years. This lucrative agreement also encompasses a signature shoe collaboration with the renowned brand. Interestingly, Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, has voiced his skepticism regarding the significance of the shoe deal, drawing comparisons to Devin Booker’s contract.

The revelation of Clark’s WNBA rookie deal left many fans discontent, with numerous voices arguing that the former Iowa Hawkeyes guard deserved a substantially larger compensation package. While some fans have expressed approval of her purported Nike contract, Portnoy holds a contrary viewpoint:

“If people want to complain about Caitlin Clark getting screwed complain about this,” Portnoy said via the Daily Mail. “8 years and 28 million deal is stealing. 8 years 80 million min is her worth and that’s still probably too cheap.

“Men would 100% buy her sneakers. All girls who play hoop will. Devin Booker got 5 years 50 million. Caitlin is 100x the star and impact.”

Portnoy contended that Caitlin Clark is poised to become one of the WNBA’s pivotal figures, driving increased attention and recognition to women’s basketball. Given her electrifying presence on the court and remarkable shotmaking skills, Portnoy argued that a substantial shoe deal is warranted, especially considering the earnings of other athletes in similar positions.

However, the outcome of Clark’s partnership with Nike remains uncertain. Notably, only two WNBA players currently have shoe deals with Nike: Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne and New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu.

An anonymous WNBA general manager would exchange entire team for Caitlin Clark

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In a discussion with The Athletic’s Ben Pickman and Mike Vorkunov, an unnamed WNBA general manager expressed unwavering confidence in Caitlin Clark, going as far as to indicate a willingness to trade the entire team roster solely to secure her acquisition.

“I would trade my whole team for her. Partly because our owner would do it to sell tickets. But on top of that, that’s such a great piece to start to build around. She’s (like Diana) Taurasi coming out, and look what Taurasi’s done.”

Given Caitlin Clark’s remarkable performance during her tenure with the Hawkeyes, coupled with her ability to captivate fans and inspire the younger generation, the prospect of having her join any team is undeniably enticing.

Throughout her final year at Iowa, Clark showcased her exceptional talent, averaging 31.6 points per game with impressive shooting percentages, along with notable contributions in assists and rebounds. Despite falling short in the quest for the 2024 NCAA title against the South Carolina Gamecocks, Clark’s individual performance remained stellar, tallying 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

As the 2024 WNBA season rapidly approaches, the anticipation surrounding Caitlin Clark’s debut intensifies, accompanied by heightened expectations and pressure for her to live up to the considerable excitement that surrounds her.