When a child approaches Caitlin Clark, the NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader, asking for her autograph using one of her signature Wilson basketballs, it will likely be a memorable moment for her, as she is now a player for the Indiana Fever.
“I think it is going to take me a second,” Clark tells me after practice from Indianapolis. “You just soak it in. In what I’ve been trying to do over the last year there have been a lot of first and special moments. That will be one. It will be more special for me than for the than the young fan.”
Caitlin Clark, having concluded her college career at the University of Iowa, was drafted first by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft.
Since her regular-season debut on May 14, she and her team have been actively engaged in the business side of basketball, securing new deals including two signature products: a signature shoe from Nike and a signature basketball from Wilson, her latest sponsor.
“I think the biggest thing with Wilson is it is a brand I have always had in my life,” she says. “I grew up with this black and yellow basketball that I dribbled in the driveway all the time. I wore it out constantly dribbling on concrete at the hoop in front of our house.”
Wilson’s deal with Caitlin Clark involves not only special-edition basketballs commemorating her achievements but also a forthcoming line of signature basketball styles.
This distinction makes her only the second player, after Michael Jordan, to receive the signature treatment from Wilson.
“I feel fortunate and lucky,” she says. “Michael is the best of all time. To see young kids eventually dribbling with my signature [ball], how lucky am I to be part of something like this, to be able to be the first to do this since [Jordan]? I think it puts into perspective how highly thought of Wilson is and what they are doing and the basketballs they are creating.”
Caitlin Clark is eager to connect with the younger generation above all else. As she begins work on her signature designs, she intends to focus on topics she’s passionate about and that can resonate with a diverse audience.
“I want to create something that captures the joy of basketball and just how much fun it is to play,” she says. “Those have been two constants for me, and it’s something I hope I can share with everyone.”
Caitlin Clark acknowledges that she holds the reins in the design process since her signature is on the ball. She finds it empowering to have the final say on things.
Wilson confirms that Clark will offer guidance and feedback on various basketball products.
Throughout 2024, the brand intends to launch collections at different price points celebrating Clark’s achievements.
The initial collection features a classic white and gold WNBA ball with personalized engravings highlighting memorable Clark moments.
Additionally, Wilson will collaborate with Clark to creatively direct her signature line, set for release later this year.
As part of the agreement, Wilson will also support the Caitlin Clark Foundation, aligning with its mission to enhance youth lives through education, nutrition, and sports.
“I think it shows that this is a true partnership,” Clark says. “I want to give back to the people and communities that have supported me along the way, and I am grateful to Wilson for being part of that impact.”
“Caitlin Clark is not just a record-setting athlete, but a cultural icon who has had a profound impact on the game,” says Amanda Lamb, Wilson’s global head of brand.
“We couldn’t be prouder to join forces with her to continue innovating basketball both on and off the court.”
Caitlin Clark’s foray into business is not a new endeavor for her. Even during her time at Iowa, she secured lucrative Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and pursued a major in marketing. This experience has likely prepared her well for her current ventures in the business world.
“I’m a business major. I know what I am doing,” she says about the influx of sponsorship opportunities. “I get real-world experience every single day, more than anything I could do in school. I have been learning on the fly.”
Caitlin Clark attributes her ability to navigate the complexities of decisions and deals to her supportive team, which enables her to concentrate on playing basketball. As part of her basketball focus, she will soon engage in designing an actual Wilson basketball.
