Iowa's Caitlin Clark Adds Gatorade to Growing NIL Portfolio
Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark took the college basketball world by storm last year - earning the Naismith, Wooden and AP Player of the Year honors - while leading the Hawkeyes to the National Championship game.
Now, with Iowa currently 10-1, ranked number four in the country, and Clark averaging averaging 29.5 points, 7.4 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game, another historic season is certainly ahead.
While Clark continues to set individual records on the hardwood, she's also taken her NIL game to the next level, signing with powerhouse sports agency Excel Sports Management prior to the season.
Today, in a video titled "You Can Too," Clark announced that she has signed a NIL partnership with Gatorade, joining UConn's Paige Bueckers as the only college basketball players to partner with the global hydration brand.
As part of the collaboration, Gatorade will donate $22,000 - honoring Clark's No. 22 jersey number - to the Caitlin Clark Foundation. Clark's foundation strives to uplift and improve the lives of youth and their communities through education, nutrition, and sport, which are the three pillars that Clark believes were essential in her success on and off the basketball court.
“This partnership is special because not only does Gatorade fuel the best athletes in the game, but they’re also committed to leading by example and giving back, which is what I strive to do every day," Clark said in a statement. "I’m honored to join such an iconic brand that has some of the most elite athletes in sport on their roster and can’t wait for what’s ahead.”
Since partnering with Excel, Clark's NIL portfolio has gone national. She became the first student-athlete to sign with State Farm, joining the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Chris Paul as endorsers. Clark already has partnerships with Nike, Buick, Topps and H&R Block, among others.
In addition to Clark and Bueckers, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Penn State running back Nick Singleton are also on Gatorade's roster of NIL athletes.
Clark and Iowa next host Cleveland State on Saturday.
