Fans blast brands over Caitlin Clark negotiations.

On Tuesday, it was reported that Caitlin Clark is about to ink a massive eight-year, $28 million deal with Nike, making it the most lucrative endorsement contract for a single player in the history of women’s basketball. As part of the deal, she will also have her own signature shoe.

Before deciding on Nike, Clark had talks with several other major shoe brands. Adidas offered her a four-year, $6 million deal with a signature shoe, which was significantly lower in both annual value and duration compared to Nike’s offer. This led to some backlash on social media, with fans expressing their disappointment in Adidas’ offer.

Caitlin Clark receives standing ovation as she is officially welcomed to Indiana Fever of the WNBA

“Adidas is disrespectful for that offer. Puma clearly filled with idiots. She woulda made more with under armour and possibly way more if she worked with curry. I get the 8 year contract tho. Nike is elite and 8 years secures a good future. Either way, she’s makin good money,” one fan wrote.

“Adidas was so disrespectful… But Lols PUMA is so dumb. Steph Curry offered a good deal, but I’m guessing she wanted long term promises. As business management major, you can’t short term those,” another fan commented. “Adidas bid just so they could say they tried,” added another fan. “Wow, what a lowball Adidas,” remarked another.

She had offers from other brands

Under Armour also made an offer of $16 million over four years, including a signature shoe deal. Additionally, Clark reportedly walked away from negotiations with Puma when they started the per-year bidding at $3 million.

The news of Clark’s impending Nike deal sparked a collective reaction from fans, as they expressed their opinions on the various offers and decisions made during the negotiations.

The reported figures and reactions from fans shed light on the competitive nature of securing endorsement deals in the sports industry. It also highlights the importance of considering both the financial aspects and the long-term opportunities that come with such contracts.

Overall, Caitlin Clark’s upcoming endorsement deal with Nike has generated significant attention and discussion, showcasing the impact of such agreements not only on the athlete but also on the brands involved and the fans who closely follow these developments.

WATCH: Iowa star Gabbie Marshall shows off her funky moves with former Hawkeyes hooper Kate Martin.

Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin

Former Iowa guards, Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin showed off their dance skills in a video posted to Instagram. The duo pulled off some funky moves to Neon Guts by Lil Uzi Vert.

Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin attended the 2024 WNBA draft on Monday to support Iowa’s Caitlin Clark. However, in a surprise to many, Kate Marin was selected 18th overall by the Las Vegas Aces.

The guard did not seem shocked by the call, which was later explained in a video by TikTok stars Aliyah Funschelle of Moolah Kicks, who filmed the video, and Coach Jackie J.

According to NYC-Based Sports Reporter Aliyah Funschelle, Martin was asked by the production crew to switch to the aisle seat before the draft call and a cameraman was strategically placed in front of her.

After the call, Martin was seen being escorted to the stage by a production crew member, meaning that everything was premeditated.

While in New York, Gabbie Marshall, Kate Martin and Jada Gyamfi accompanied Caitlin Clark on the stage during her appearance on Saturday Night Live. Fans pointed out how Clark always seemed to include her teammates in most of her activities, displaying their strong friendship.

Kate Martin’s family erupts in joy after her draft call

A video shared on X showed Kate Martin’s family watching the WNBA draft and shouting with joy when her name was called.

Her mother, Jill Martin, explained her joy in an interview with Alton Telegraph:

“I just felt happy for her. I wasn’t overly surprised. I was very happy for her. I know it was something that she wanted.”

The guard played for five years with the Hawkeyes and averaged 13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 28.8 minutes of game time in her senior season. After never starting in a single game during her freshman year, Martin has started every game since.

She, along with Clark and Marshall, formed the core of Iowa as the three worked together to take their team to the title game twice.

Kate Martin graduated from Iowa University with a master’s in Sports and Recreation Management. In 2022, she finished her bachelor’s in Sports and Recreation Management, Student-Designed – Human Relations.

The guard’s initial plans were to venture into coaching. Martin was even nominated by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association for the “So You Want To Be a Coach” program in February. With the draft, Martin will join the Aces for a training session on April 28 before the season opener against Phoenix Mercury on May 14.

Clark has shaken the world of sports in the USA.

The phenomenon that Caitlin Clark has become and her impact on women’s basketball is reaching beyond what happens on the court. For at least two decades, a figure with the popular impact of Caitlin Clark had not arrived in the WNBA, surpassing even stars from other sports.

Before her, the great star of the WNBA was Diana Taurasi, the legendary player who won three championships and is the all-time leading scorer in the league’s history, with 10,108 points scored throughout a career that paved the way for the arrival of new stars like Clark or Angel Reese.

Caitlin Clark dominates Indiana Fever practice, strikes fear in WNBA

However, Caitlin’s impact has also been reflected in the economic field, so recently some comments comparing what Taurasi has earned in her career and what Clark is currently earning have emerged on social media.

Days ago, a scandal arose due to the disparity in salaries between a player like Clark, who will earn less than $400,000 annually in her first year, and NBA players who earn millions. However, Clark is leveraging her popularity to make money through NIL (name, image, and likeness), which allows college athletes to earn money through external sponsorships.

Too much disparity among stars?

In Taurasi’s case, still active with the Phoenix Mercury, she has a total net worth of $3.5 million earned over 20 years of career. Considered as the White Mamba, Taurasi is still considered by many to date as the GOAT of women’s basketball.

But that figure pales in comparison to the $28 million that Caitlin Clark will earn over 8 years solely for her association with Nike, who will launch a shoe inspired by her. In other words, only for that single sponsorship, Clark will earn $3.5 million in a year, the same amount that Taurasi has earned in two decades.

Is it unfair? Many could say yes, but the reality is that both lived in different times. Until three years ago, there was no NIL, which allows NCAA athletes to earn money that they may not be able to earn in professionalism. Clark is simply taking advantage of the current rules to ensure her economic well-being, although there will always be the debate of whether Taurasi (and other players) should have earned more money for their sacrifice on the court. The answer is yes, but Caitlin is not to blame for that.