USA Today Columnist Infuriated Over Caitlin Clark Shoe Deal, Says Black Players Deserve It

By Anthony Altomari

Caitlin Clark continues to shatter records.

But apparently, she has racism to thank for her achievements.

Clark and Nike are in an agreement on a historic 8-year, $28 million endorsement contract that will include her own signature shoe, according to ESPN.

The Athletic first reported that Clark was on the verge of signing the record breaking deal on April 17, although the length and dollar amount were not yet known.

Instead of celebrating this historic deal and giving props to Clark for all she’s done for women’s basketball so far, one USA Today columnist cried foul because Clark’s deal apparently shows black WNBA players aren’t be treated the same as white players.

In commenting on Clark’s deal, Mike Freeman of USA Today noted that “Clark would join only three other WNBA players with signature shoes: Breanna Stewart, Elena Delle Donne and Sabrina Ionescu. You may notice a pattern there.”

The three other players, like Clark, are white.

While Ionescu and Stewart’s shoes are still available, Della Donne’s shoe currently isn’t listed on the Nike website.

Freeman argued that it was unfair that players like Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson, who is black, doesn’t have her own shoe.