Steph Curry Tried to Recruit Caitlin Clark to Under Armor Before Nike Shoe Deal

The Warriors star couldn't quite close the deal, as Clark opted to sign with Nike.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday, just days after the Indiana Fever selected her with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, it was reported that Caitlin Clark plans to sign an eight-figure shoe brand deal with Nike for her own signature sneaker.

She had plenty of other offers on the table, too.

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Golden State Warriors star guard Steph Curry was involved in Under Armour's pitch to Clark. Curry signed with Under Armour in 2013 and launched his own Curry Brand as a standalone label in '20.

Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox was the first NBA player to sign with the Curry Brand last October, and went on to eliminate Curry and the Warriors on Tuesday in the NBA play-in tournament. South Carolina freshman guard MiLaysia Fulwiley became the first collegiate athlete to join the Curry Brand in March. Fulwiley averaged 11.7 points in 38 games for the Gamecocks and chipped in nine points against Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the national championship game.

Along with the Nike and Under Armour meetings, Clark also had a significant offer from Adidas.

Clark's eight-figure deal with Nike is valued "well beyond $10 million," Charania reported Thursday on FanDuel's Run It Back show.

When the reported Nike shoe is released, Clark will become the third active WNBA player to have her own signature sneaker, joining New York Liberty stars Sabrina Ionescu (Nike) and Breanna Stewart (Puma).


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Tom Dierberger

TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.