Nike's Decision Fuels Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Rivalry

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Audilet | Last updated Feb 14, 2025 1:55 PM ET

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese make up one of the greatest player rivalries in American sports.

The two WNBA All-Stars have been playing against each other since their high school days as elite basketball prospects. That rivalry continued into their college years, culminating with the infamous national championship matchup between the Iowa Hawkeyes and LSU Tigers in 2023.

Clark went to the Indiana Fever with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. Reese went No. 7 overall to the Chicago Sky. Both put together historic rookie campaigns with their respective WNBA teams.

Clark finished her debut season as the near-unanimous Rookie of the Year, with the only other vote going to Reese.

Before beginning her WNBA career, Clark signed an eight-year, $28 million endorsement contract with Nike.

Nike recently fueled the Clark-Reese rivalry with a marketing decision — placing two Clark billboards up near Chicago's Wintrust Arena.

CC in Chicago pic.twitter.com/tTGDvNxO4e
— ericaf455 (@ericaf455) February 13, 2025

Nike unveils Caitlin Clark billboard in ‘enemy territory’ https://t.co/1OP3f8XT53 pic.twitter.com/tNnMKuHOGF
— New York Post (@nypost) February 14, 2025

Clark downplayed her rivalry with Reese after she was named Time's Athlete of the Year in December.

“I don’t get that at all,” the Fever's All-Star point guard said. “We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another... Yes, we have had tremendous battles. But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me?”

"I think it's just competition, it's been competition since college," Reese said of the rivalry last year. "Being able to play against Caitlin, I've been playing against Caitlin since we were probably in eighth or ninth grade. We both were really competitive in AAU. I went to Maryland, she went to Iowa so we competed there and then finally being able to compete in the national championship. People don't know the legacy of us being able to play against each other for a really long time."

Clark and Reese will face off in a season-opening matchup when the Fever welcome the Sky on May 17.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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