Nike’s return to Super Bowl advertising after 27 years was bound to make noise, but the real conversation started when Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s wife, Mariah Riddlesprigger, threw her support behind it. The ad, which featured WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark alongside A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Sha’Carri Richardson, and other standout female athletes, wasn’t just another sports commercial-it was a statement.
The minute-long spot, narrated by rapper Doechii, flips the script on outdated narratives about women in sports. “You can’t make demands. You can’t be proud. You can’t keep score. You can’t stand out. Whatever you do, you can’t win. So, win.” That last line wasn’t just the punchline-it was the point.
For Riddlesprigger, the message hit home. She reshared the ad on her Instagram stories with a caption that might as well be its own campaign slogan: “Be all the things they say you can’t be! Do all the things they say you can’t do!” Given her front-row seat to the world of elite sports, it’s no surprise she resonated with the ad’s defiant spirit.
Nike’s Chief Marketing Officer Nicole Hubbard Graham explained the ad’s deeper intention: “It’s a timeless athlete insight of being told things you can’t be and needing to overcome that.” The timing couldn’t be better. Women’s sports are having a moment-from record-breaking WNBA ratings to surging NIL deals-and Nike clearly sees the shift.
Caitlin Clark’s star keeps rising and Nike is betting big on it
At the center of it all is Caitlin Clark. The Indiana Fever star is already one of the most marketable athletes in the game, and her presence in the Super Bowl ad is just another milestone in her rise. She’s also in the middle of developing her first signature shoe with Nike, set to drop in 2026. Given her growing influence, that release is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent years.
The reaction to the ad has been overwhelmingly positive, but it’s also sparked debate. Some are celebrating Nike’s commitment to female athletes, while others are questioning whether the brand is fully walking the walk-especially given past criticism over its treatment of pregnant athletes.
No matter where you land on the discussion, one thing is clear: this wasn’t just an ad, it was a cultural moment. With Mariah Riddlesprigger’s stamp of approval and Caitlin Clark’s star power leading the charge, Nike’s bet on women’s sports just got even bigger.
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