Caitlin Clark is currently the standout star in women’s basketball, and her popularity is unmatched.
As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark is gearing up for her professional debut with the Indiana Fever against the Connecticut Sun this Tuesday. Off the court, her marketability is evident through a lucrative multi-million dollar contract with Nike and major endorsements with brands such as Gatorade and State Farm.
During her time at Iowa, Clark not only became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer but also played a significant role in setting new viewership records for women’s basketball. However, discussions about her rapid rise often touch on the dynamics of race in sports marketing. A’ja Wilson, a prominent Black WNBA player, has expressed concerns that racial perceptions influence marketability and visibility in the league.
Wilson, who herself recently secured a signature shoe deal with Nike, points out the disparities in how athletes are promoted and perceived
Via AP:
“I think it’s a huge thing. I think a lot of people may say it’s not about Black and white, but to me, it is,” Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson said when asked about the race element in Clark’s popularity and before she recently signed two major endorsement deals. “It really is because you can be top notch at what you are as a Black woman, but yet maybe that’s something that people don’t want to see.
“They don’t see it as marketable, so it doesn’t matter how hard I work. It doesn’t matter what we all do as Black women, we’re still going to be swept underneath the rug. That’s why it boils my blood when people say it’s not about race because it is.”
Wilson argues that despite the high achievements of Black female athletes, they often remain underappreciated in terms of endorsement opportunities and media visibility.
The timing of Clark receiving a signature shoe before her WNBA debut, compared to Wilson’s later recognition, highlights ongoing discussions about equality and representation in sports. Regardless of these complexities, the fact remains that Clark is currently the most prominent figure in women’s basketball based on viewer ratings and endorsements.
