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Never before has the WNBA garnered as much attention as it has this season, largely thanks to Caitlin Clark's historic rookie campaign. The number one draft pick has catapulted WNBA ratings to unprecedented heights, with arena attendance breaking records and merchandise sales soaring by an astonishing 236%. Rookie sensations Clark and Angel Reese are leading jersey sales, thanks to their remarkable performances, popularity, and exemplary attitude toward the media. Clark's name is now synonymous with a wide range of advertising campaigns.
Clark's latest achievement is a multiyear sponsorship deal with US sports brand Wilson, which will include the release of a signature line of basketballs. Coincidentally, 40 years ago, a rookie who had just joined the NBA with the Chicago Bulls secured a similar contract with Wilson for a line of basketballs. That rookie was none other than Michael Jordan.Clark and Jordan are now the only players in history to have such a deal.
Amanda Lamb, head of global brand at Wilson, remarked, "Caitlin Clark is not just a record-setting athlete, but a cultural icon who has had a profound impact on the game. We couldn't be prouder to join forces with her to continue innovating basketball both on and off the court."
Caitlin Clark's influence both on and off the court signals a bright future for the league.
The financial details of Clark's deal with Wilson have not been disclosed, but this partnership could be a sign of where her career is headed. It is, of course, too early to make grand comparisons, as Clark has played just 22 games with the Indiana Fever, far from Jordan's 1,072 games over 15 seasons. Nevertheless, like Jordan, Clark is revolutionizing the WNBA, and if she can stay healthy, her story might just have a fairytale ending.
Beyond breaking records in marketing, ratings, and sales, Clark has also excelled on the court. In a recent victory for the Fever (9-13) against the New York Liberty (17-4), Clark recorded the first triple-double by a rookie in WNBA history and the first in Indiana Fever history. She is averaging 16 points per game, is third in the league with 7.1 assists per game, and adds 5.7 rebounds per game. Notably, no player in WNBA history has averaged those numbers (16/7/5) in a season, and Clark is achieving this as a rookie.