As a former Nike executive, Sonny Vaccaro believes that Caitlin Clark missed an opportunity in her deal with the sports supplier by not demanding the same treatment as the iconic Michael Jordan. Vaccaro played a key role in signing Jordan to a contract with Nike in the 1970s, and later went on to work with Adidas and Reebok to expand their brands. As an advocate for athletes’ rights, Vaccaro feels that Clark’s team should have negotiated for a better deal that included a share in the profits, similar to what Jordan had.
Despite her dominance at Indiana Fever practice, Caitlin Clark could have benefited more from her recent deal with the American sports giant. Clark signed a contract worth $28,000,000 over eight years, averaging $3.5 million per year until she turns 30. While she will have her own signature shoe as part of the deal, she does not have a royalty agreement like Jordan did, missing out on the potential for significant earnings based on sales.
Vaccaro’s comments highlight the importance of negotiating fair and lucrative deals for athletes, especially female athletes in a male-dominated industry. By learning from the successes of legends like Michael Jordan, young stars like Caitlin Clark can ensure that they maximize their earning potential and secure their future in the highly competitive world of professional sports.