Caitlin Clark’s Signature Shoe Deal Sparked a Black Marketability Debate

Earlier this week Caitlin Clark, the number one overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft, signed a shoe deal with Nike, making her one of only four current players to have her own signature shoe (Candace Parker is the fourth).

And that sparked a debate over race and marketability.

Clark’s accomplishments and popularity are undeniable. She’s the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer period, and was the biggest draw in college basketball this season. 

Yet she wasn’t the first woman to dominate the WNBA hardwood with style.

In 1995, Sheryl Swoopes not only became the first player to sign with the WNBA, but she also became the first woman to receive a signature shoe when she signed with Nike. Since then, in contrast to the more than 40 different men of the NBA who have obtained signature sneakers, only around a dozen of the women of the WNBA have received this honor, including now 3x NCAA national champion, Dawn Staley.

There were others including Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie, Maya Moore (Clark’s childhood role model), Candace Parker and current star A’Ja Wilson, all of whom had made indelible marks on the basketball world and beyond.

Lisa Leslie is a 7x All-Star and 3x All-Star Game MVP. 6x All-Star and 4x WNBA Champion Maya Moore put down her basketball aspirations to focus on racial/social justice.

These talented, game-changing Black women deserved a signature sneaker. Some received that honor including Swoopes (1995-2002), Leslie (1998), Staley (1998-1999), Cooper (1999), Nikki McCray (1999), Chamique Holdsclaw (2002-2002) and Candace Parker (2010-2011). Let’s not forget their names.

Yet before even stepping on to the hardwood for the Indiana Fever, Clark has been given more than those who won championships and All-Star accolades.

And that’s what’s frustrating.

The WNBA is one of the most diverse leagues in US sports.

Continue reading over at First and Pen.