Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick from the Iowa Hawkeyes in this year’s WNBA Draft, is making significant strides in women’s basketball merchandising.
She is set to have her T-shirts and jerseys sold in all Dick’s Sporting Goods stores, an honor shared with only a few other athletes.
Angel Reese, the former star forward from LSU, is also generating buzz, though she hasn’t reached the same commercial milestone as Clark. Former WNBA player Val Whiting commented on Dick’s decision to feature Clark over Reese, emphasizing that commercial endorsements should reflect proven track records in professional settings, rather than other considerations. “Angel Reese definitely would not deserve to have her gear in Dicks. I’d be upset about that too,” Whiting expressed. “There are vets that are PROVEN out here. Don’t minimize every push-back to race. It’s juvenile and short sighted.”
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As Clark and Reese prepare for their inaugural WNBA seasons, all eyes will be on their transition from college to the professional stage. Both athletes have begun training camp with their respective teams, and with the regular season slated to start next month, their performances are highly anticipated.
The 2024 WNBA regular season is expected to kick off in mid-May, marking a new chapter for these promising players and the league.
