Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese (Photos via Getty Images)
Sportswear giants Nike are catching heat from Caitlin Clark fans following a key development regarding Angel Reese.
Clark and Reese are, by far, the most marketable players in the WNBA, having made their debuts in 2024. They’ve secured some lucrative endorsements this year.
Reese was the subject of an announcement made by Reebok this Thursday, with the brand disclosing that it had reached a multi-year deal with the Chicago Sky forward. They also revealed that her signature shoe will be released in 2026.
She’s putting her name on it. Spring 2026. pic.twitter.com/ohjKOujKFM
— Reebok (@Reebok) October 24, 2024
Clark, meanwhile, inked an eight-year deal with Nike worth $28 million before the start of her rookie season. The company promised a signature sneaker as well, yet there’s still no release date.
Caitlin Clark Fans Need Her Shoes, And They Need It Now
Fans had already taken issue with Nike over the above, but the recent Reebok announcement has fueled the complaints.
“Where is Caitlin Clark shoes at?” someone asked.
“How come Caitlin Clark signed with Nike, and she still doesn’t have a shoe–they haven’t done anything to promote her and they would make a fortune,” another wrote.
Angel Reese trolls haters after landing Reebok signature shoe https://t.co/d2em4MOkeb pic.twitter.com/jVEFjb4fSe
— New York Post (@nypost) October 25, 2024
“How is Angel Reese getting a shoe before Caitlin Clark? I get it Reebok vs Nike, but still they need to fix this asap,” said a third.
“Nike’s utter failure to capitalize on Clark’s massive popularity this year is baffling,” someone else fumed.
“The year is 2032. Caitlin Clark has captured her sixth consecutive WNBA mvp and is working on a 5 peat with the Fever. Nike says a shoe prototype will drop in weeks,” a fan quipped.
“The fans are begging for you to put Caitlin merchandise (including her shoes) on the market for the holidays,” a user pleaded. “The demand is there to ignite this.”
The Indiana Fever guard had an impressive first year, breaking multiple records, being named an All-Star, and winning the Rookie of the Year award.
That Nike has delayed this for so long is indeed confusing. But perhaps they have something massive in store.
