WNBA great Diana Taurasi believes Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark should be the next women’s basketball star to join the exclusive list of players with a signature sneaker.
“Caitlin, of course,” Taurasi told Front Office Sports when asked who she’d like to see with her own shoe. “I mean, I know she has some (player exclusives), little colorways, but you can do that on Nike ID. I mean, the next Caitlin shoe should be the next one, and you know my kids will be wearing it.”
Clark signed an eight-year, $28 million endorsement deal with Nike in 2024, a record for a WNBA player. The agreement includes marketing and apparel collaborations, the development of a personal logo, and the creation of a signature shoe. The Wall Street Journal first reported the value of the contract, calling it the richest sponsorship deal in league history.
Since joining Nike, Clark has worn multiple player-exclusive (PE) colorways, including the Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Indiana Fever,” which debuted in June and sold out within minutes. Resale prices for the shoe quickly surged online, reflecting the market demand for her brand.
Caitlin Clark Signature Shoe Incoming
While fans have been eager for a signature release, Nike officials said in January that the process of creating both a logo and a debut shoe typically takes about two years. According to Front Office Sports, Clark’s first signature sneaker is scheduled to launch in spring 2026.
Clark has played in just 13 games this season due to multiple injuries, averaging 16.5 points per contest — a slight drop from her rookie season numbers. Despite the setback, her popularity remains strong, with Fever games continuing to draw significant national attention and high ticket demand.
Diana Taurasi’s Endorsement Adds Star Power
Taurasi’s public endorsement adds weight to the anticipation. The Phoenix Mercury star is one of the league’s most recognizable figures, a three-time WNBA champion, and the all-time scoring leader. Her influence in the game makes her support a meaningful signal to both fans and the sneaker industry.
The list of current WNBA players with signature sneakers remains short but has grown in recent years. Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson debuted her Nike A’One “Pink A’ura” in February, with the launch selling out almost immediately.
Two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart released the Puma Stewie series in 2022, New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu’s Nike Sabrina line arrived in 2023, and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese unveiled her Reebok “Angel Reese 1” during last month’s WNBA All-Star Game.
A Potential Game-Changer for Nike and the WNBA
For Nike, Clark’s commercial appeal and fan following suggest her signature line could be among the most lucrative in women’s sports history.
With strong early sales of her PEs and a global audience that extends beyond the WNBA, Clark is positioned to join an elite group of athletes who influence both the game and the marketplace.
If Taurasi’s prediction comes true, Clark’s name will soon be on store shelves worldwide — and, as Taurasi promised, on the feet of the next generation of basketball fans.
