Caitlin Clark returned to the hardwood at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, playing her first game there since entering the WNBA. It was a perfect storm for fanfare, branding, and emotional homecoming content.
But for reasons unclear, Nike – the company that signed Clark to an eight-year, $28 million endorsement deal – opted not to mention her performance, her homecoming, or her name at all.
While Clark delivered a strong 16-point performance as her Indiana Fever trounced Brazil in a 108-44 preseason victory, Nike’s social media channels stayed silent. Instead, Nike and Nike Basketball posted content about A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces’ preseason activities the day prior.
That absence of recognition was glaring, particularly when Gatorade – another of Clark’s sponsors – celebrated her return in a post that read:
“Real home court advantage. Welcome back to Iowa @caitlinclark22 .”
McCaffrey’s retweet speaks volumes in support of Clark
While Clark’s supporters called out Nike directly, her boyfriend Connor McCaffrey let a single action say everything. The 26-year-old assistant men’s basketball coach at Butler University retweeted a post from X user @caitisland that sarcastically asked:
“.@Nike yall don’t got internet or what? “
No caption was needed. The subtle retweet sparked immediate support across social media, as fans recognized it as a quiet but powerful defense of Clark amid a baffling promotional snub.
“PLZ DONT UNRETWEET THIS IS THE BEST [expletive] IVE EVER SEEN OMG,” one fan wrote in response.
“You know @Nike messed up when her BF is even fed up lol. Y’all better get it together. You need her more than she needs you lol,” added another.
Other replies ranged from “Connor a real one” to “This gonna make him unrt btw but Connor a legend for at least rt the FACTS.”
Some even took it a step further, criticizing Nike’s broader brand approach, with one user posting:
“Nike is literally screwing around, it’s No Wonder why their Brand/Stock is in the Toilet!”
Nike has yet to publicly respond to the criticism or provide an explanation for ignoring one of their most high-profile athletes during what was clearly a major marketing moment.
Clark’s game does the talking
Despite the off-court drama, Clark delivered on expectations in her Iowa homecoming. She scored 16 points and was one of four Fever players in double digits, alongside Kelsey Mitchell (17), Aliyah Boston (11), and Natasha Howard (10).
It was a triumphant return in front of a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena crowd – a venue where Clark became a college basketball legend. The Fever’s dominant win added fuel to the excitement surrounding the team heading into the 2025 WNBA season.
For Nike, the silence may have been strategic or simply a misstep. But for fans – and for Clark’s inner circle – it was hard to ignore. McCaffrey‘s retweet summed up what many were thinking: if Nike wants to capitalize on the Caitlin Clark phenomenon, it needs to start showing up when it matters most.
Read the full article here
