On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The year of Caitlin Clark continues.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Wednesday that the new Indiana Fever star Clark is nearing a major endorsement deal with Nike worth eight figures. Clark will be getting her own signature shoe as part of the deal and is choosing Nike despite getting sizable offers from Under Armour and Adidas as well, Charania adds.
The 22-year-old Clark is one of the most popular athletes on the planet right now, male or female. She was just selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft by the Fever after a standout four-year career at Iowa in which she became the NCAA’s all-time leading women’s scorer. Clark was also earning some serious NIL money while she was in college as well.
After Clark was drafted earlier this week, much was made of her WNBA salary (she will be making roughly $77,000 in 2024 and $338,000 over the course of her four-year rookie contract with the Fever). But it looks like the vast majority of Clark’s earnings will come from endorsements as Nike now joins the likes of State Farm, Gatorade and Panini as her corporate partners.
More must-reads:
- Caitlin Clark's pay inequity takes center stage
- Watch: Caitlin Clark discusses important task to complete before Olympics, WNBA season
- The '2023 award winners' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
New era taking shape for Mystics ahead of WNBA trade deadline
The Aug. 7 WNBA trade deadline is on Thursday, and for the Washington Mystics, it’s clear a new era is taking shape. After trading All-Defensive guard Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm on Tuesday in exchange for Alysha Clark, guard Zia Cooke and a 2026 first-round draft pick, the optimism is that the Mystics could be suitable trade partners for any team looking to offload a huge contract attached with draft compensation. It all starts with Shakira Austin. When healthy, she’s the franchise cornerstone — strong in the paint, athletic and able to anchor the defense. But now she’s getting help from two rising rookies who are starting to turn heads. Kiki Iriafen, the rookie out of Stanford, has been a revelation. Her energy is nonstop, she crashes the boards like a vet and her confidence is growing with each game. She’s not just filling minutes — she’s making an impact. Pairing her with Austin in the frontcourt gives the Mystics a gritty, physical presence they can build around. And then there’s Sonia Citron, who might be one of the smoothest rookies in the league right now. Her basketball IQ, her pace, her ability to make plays without forcing shots — it’s all there. With Sykes gone, expect Citron to take on more responsibility. She’s earned it. Of course, there are still moves that could happen. Aaliyah Edwards has been generating trade buzz since June, and Washington has a crowded frontcourt. If the team can flip Edwards or any veteran not a part of the long-term plans for future draft capital, it would align perfectly with what they’re building. The Mystics may not be making a playoff push this year, but don’t sleep on what’s happening in D.C. This team is rebuilding with purpose. And with Austin, Iriafen and Citron leading the way, the future is starting to look bright.
Patriots stars react to HC Mike Vrabel getting bloodied while breaking up camp fight
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel likely won the respect of his team Wednesday. However, he may have needed a few stitches afterward. The Patriots hosted a joint practice with the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson took a Commanders pass-rusher to the ground in pass protection, resulting in a scuffle. Vrabel then jumped in to help stop the fight. His face was bloodied after both teams calmed down. Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye loved that his coach was willing to step in. In a news conference after practice, the 22-year-old passer said that's the mentality the team needs. "That's what we're trying to build," he said. "The intensity, bringing it every day, taking no cr-p when we're out on the field. But also, it comes a time where, with our guys offensively, and getting over there and getting some tussles and kind of having some penalties, and extra after the whistle, can get us in trouble. But for mentality, I like it. I mean, I almost got in there, but I think maybe another day, maybe." His new coach doesn't want the QB to get in any brawls. The Patriots are banking on the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft being the franchise's future. Plus, he doesn't need to worry about the Patriots' intensity with Vrabel in the building. New England wide receiver DeMario Douglas noted the former linebacker didn't seem rattled after breaking up the scrap. "I said, 'Coach, what's wrong with you?' And he said, 'You should have seen the other guy,'" Douglas told the media while smiling. "I just saw the scar on his face but didn't know what was happening." Vrabel likely sent two messages at Wednesday's practice. He won't tolerate an undisciplined team but also has his players' backs. That could go a long way for a Patriots squad aiming to improve after a 4-13 season.
Angel Stadium experiences embarrassing issue after game
Angel Stadium is apparently doing its best impression of Oakland Coliseum. The Los Angeles Angels hosted the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday afternoon for a game at their Anaheim, California, home. It was the Rays who emerged victorious by a 5-4 final score, turning in some impressive plays along the way as well. After the loss by the Angels, the baseball gods continued to rain on them … literally. While reporters were gathered in the media room waiting for Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery to give his press conference, the roof in the room was noticeably leaking, resulting in water puddling on the floor and on a nearby trash can. Sam Blum of The Athletic shared the footage, noting that Montgomery’s press conference was ultimately moved to a different room. Angel Stadium opened back in 1966 and has served the home of the Angels ever since (also notably housing several other professional and collegiate teams, including the Los Angeles Rams from 1980-94). But it is clear that some renovations are badly needed at this point (beyond the trash can that appeared to have been intentionally placed under the leak to deal with the dripping water). Angels owner Arte Moreno, who has owned the team since 2003, is often accused of penny-pinching, particularly when it comes to resources and accommodations. Now that Angel Stadium looks to be slowly falling apart as well, perhaps Moreno will call for cups to be taped to the ceiling like other MLB teams have done before to stop leaks.
NFL Hall of Famer reveals why he chose to join Deion Sanders' Colorado coaching staff
Kevin Love reportedly has preferred buyout destination
Kevin Love is eyeing a return to his roots. The five-time NBA All-Star big man Love has a preferred destination on the buyout market, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported on Tuesday. Love would like to end up in Los Angeles. Now 36 years old, Love spent the last two-and-a-half seasons with the Miami Heat. He averaged just 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds over 10.9 minutes per game in 2024-25 but still managed to shoot 35.8 percent from three on the year. Earlier this summer however, the Heat traded Love to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team blockbuster deal. Now Love, a 17-year NBA veteran, is pursuing a contract buyout from the rebuilding Jazz. Though he is a native of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Love played his college ball in Los Angeles at UCLA. He also has ties to both L.A. teams — he won an NBA championship with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and was also coached on that team by Tyronn Lue, who is now head coach of the L.A. Clippers. Both the Lakers and Clippers are currently sitting at 14 guaranteed contracts each. While they still have spots for two-way and Exhibit 10 players, that means the Lakers and Clippers are both down to their final open roster spot. The ex-rebounding leader Love still has some value, though probably more so as a jokester than as a contributing rotation piece. While Love clearly wants a homecoming to Los Angeles, he may have some convincing to do for either the Lakers or the Clippers to give him that final open roster spot.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
