Nike is striking while the iron is hot. I like Aj’a Wilson. She is a two time champion and mvp but how many times did they had to change venue because they needed more seats for fans. It’s straight business nothing more. That’s why Ice Cube offered her five million dollars it was a smart business move. Stop trying to always make it about race!! And yes the WNBA needs to market the ladies a lot better.

Caitlin Clark is a phenomenal player. She earned every penny. She broke every college record. And it’s the way that she plays the game it’s exciting. CC been balling sense 5 years old. I believe the W should Market stars and not teams. Caitlin Clark lead in scoring and assists. The means she makes everybody around her better. Buy A’Ja stuff this would show her markability. Let her Jersey has A’ja jersey sold out? Go to her games. Where ever CC goes she sells out arena both at college and away from college. The league needs 12 more Caitlin Clark for every team.

I never heard of Aja Wilson. I have known about Caitlin Clark for over 4 years. And have read about her on social media almost every day for the last year or so.

Who is AJ Wilson?

I think Nike's calculation is the prospect of making the most bang for their buck, not who has the most accomplishments. I do agree that the league and other corporations should spread the attention so they will be ok if Clark doesn't pan out. I also think Wilson should try to get out of her Nike contract and explore her options.

Kaitlyn Clark is only the face of the new generation talent that’s coming in. The movement is just beginning.

I don't think anybody has ever said black women don't bring numbers, I think Nike are not sure whether Aja will make the money, But championships don't bring money

The answer to the question in the title is very obvious and simple, yes.

Why hasn’t a BLACK OWNED Shoe Company signed a Shoe Deal with A’ja Wilson ?

LEXI SHYT BROWN: "What is her (Caitlin) style? I had games with 8 threes made!" THE WORLD WHOSE EYES WORK: "Her style is break BOTH male and female records" Mind you...check out some of Lexi's career stats below: 2018-2023 2018: 22 gms played - avg 1.7 PPG.....0.5 ASSISTS PG 2019: 33 gms played - avg 7.6 PPG.....1.4 ASSISTS PG 2020: 17 gms played - avg 6.4 PPG.....2.4 ASSISTS PG 2021: 17 gms played - avg 1.6 PPG......1.1 ASSISTS PG 2022: 34 gms played - avg 7.1 PPG......2.1 ASSISTS PG 2023: 12 gms played - avg 12.4 PPG......2.4 ASSISTS PG CAREER AVERAGES: 6 POINTS PER GAME 1.6 ASSISTS PER GAME 1.6 REBOUNDS PER GAME She is a journeyman player who has played on four different teams--in just SIX seasons. To suck that bad--in a league where most players suck as it is--says A WHOLE LOT....She is the Stephen A. Smith of the WNBA...and of podcasting. Whole lotta talk and no game to back it up. Yeah...I'd be bitter and very jealous of Caitlin, too!

The answer is simple but yawl don't get it, ppl want to see exceptional ppl ( actors, athletes, singers ) basically entertainers do things that they cant .As good as A'ja is she does nothing your average joe cant do, anyone can make a layup get a rebound and make a jump shot on a consistent basis, you can see that at any pick up game at the park. But only a few ppl can pull up a 30 foot three pointer on a consistent basis and make pin point passes like Clark. if their egos weren't so big they would lower the rim so they can dunk, but no except my average play but pay me millions like the men. So basically step up your game, and the ppl will come. Just my opinion.

More marketable, without question.

Look at it seriously. Wilson is not marketable compared to Clark. Ratings prove that. Sold out arenas at Iowa games. Wilson not marketable in comparison. She is already in the W and no butts in seats lol😮 😢 😅

Caitlin will fill up the Indiana seats, like never before. She will sell out at each stadium she plays at.

Caitlin Clark has already--without playing ONE WNBA game--single-handedly sold more jerseys in ONE DAY than the entire WNBA has in its ENTIRE history of existence. Further, she sold more jerseys in ONE DAY, than the entire Dallas Cowboys team sold ALL OF last season. Let those staggering facts sink in. Teams around the WNBA have started relocating games against the Fever to much larger arenas. Ticket prices have soared because of the Caitlin effect. To play GOAT level basketball in college--setting over 40 records...scoring the most points ever....while STILL maintaining an academic 3.64 GPA is nothing short of astounding....BRAVO !!! Imagine if she decides to play overseas during her offseasons. Her popularity will skyrocket even more. No stupid marijuana vape arrests. She is pure class and discipline. No disrespecting or shaming her home country. Just pure basketball wizardry and a shining ambassador of the game.....YES, CLASS MATTERS.....Fact is, she is already a global presence. People from all over the WORLD are posting about, following and supporting Caitlin Clark. I predict right now that her signature shoe will become the 2nd biggest selling of all time--behind the Jordans. You’ll see… When Aja Wilson does THAT...then you can argue for her to get a shoe. Otherwise, sit down...and stop acting like petulant children who want whatever toy they see other kids with. Let's not forget that the same people claiming Caitlin is overrated because she did not win a title in college--and that her individual stats don't matter--are the same ones who claim Lamar Jackson should be the highest paid QB in NFL history--due to his individual stats. Fact is, had Caitlin won a title in college, then the narrative would be, "Well, that's college. She has to win in the pros". So, let's recap: Caitlin's individual college records (which were harder to accomplish--as she CARRIED her team like Iverson) don't matter.....BUT Angel Reese's college title does matter. Love that warped and delusional logic. Hatred is hatred and like a virus, it will always find a host. And Caitlin cannot be considered one of the all-time greats without having won a title? Seriously? Say hello to Barry Sanders, Barry Bonds, Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, Bo Jackson, Dan Marino, Dick Butkus, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, Tony Gwynn, Ernie Banks, Elgin Baylor, Pavel Bure, Rod Carew, Ty Cobb, Marcel Dionne, Ken Griffey Jr, etc, etc, etc...SOME OF THOSE, NAMELY BONDS AND SANDERS, ARE WIDELY CONSIDERED THE GOAT IN THEIR SPORT. I know Barry Sanders is my GOAT RB. Truth is, most of you are utterly ignorant not only as to sports, but life, in general. You have no business commenting--much less opining on--anything of importance. Your hatred clouds everything you look at and experience. You lead a sad existence. It's gotten so bad that some are now even claiming a Division 2 record trumps Caitlin's Division 1 scoring record. That is akin to claiming the minor league home run record trumps the one in MLB. You cannot make the “Bill Russell played in a plumber’s era” argument to discount him and his 11 titles in the GOAT discussion to prop up Michael Jordan…then use Moore’s DIVISION 2 scoring record-a massively inferior league-to argue that she has the “real” scoring record. It is the ultimate goalpost moving and hypocrisy. Your bias is showing-big time. What makes Caitlin the GOAT? Or at least one of them? She took a team that had NO business even reaching the tournament--to the championship game--TWICE. As the team's only star. The team's ONLY great player. I say that counts more--when defining a GREAT player--than winning it with a stacked team of 4-5 star recruits. But that's just me. I make the SAME argument for Allen Iverson's Finals appearance as being much more impressive than a ton of other ones. Ask ANYONE whom they respect more as a champion: Kevin Durant, or Giannis, Joker and Dirk. Ask them which Finals journey was more impressive: Allen Iverson's Sixers or the KD Warriors, Lebron heat and Spurs Dynasty....doing more with less will always count more in the annals of history. Further, if winning a title is the lithmus test for getting a shoe deal, then where was the outrage when Ja Morant got one before Nikola Jokic ?? As for the media coverage Caitlin gets--none of these people had an issue last year when the Colorado Buffaloes got ALL of the coverage, even though they were a social media reality show train wreck and lost two-thirds of their games. The hypocrisy is both nauseating and pathetic. And remember that without whites supporting black athletes--they'd be making WNBA wages. Try reciprocating for once. Or do you think Michael Jordan and Lebron James became billionaires because of the black community exclusively? Quit thinking that the only way for you to support black athletes is to denigrate white athletes and call THEIR supporters racists. Grow up.

As a fan, the WNBA has not market their stars very well for years which is the reason for this discussion. People who are saying A'ja Wilson is not marketable, is the average basketball fan that just started watching women's basketball literally a year ago and Caitlin is probably the only women's basketball player they watch consistently and I am happy that new fans are enjoying the Women's Game but need to go back watch the stars from the past to present. But, the W needs to capitalize on this opportunity to not only market their new stars but their current star players like an A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Nneka Ogwumike, Rhyne Howard, Jewel Loyd, Satou Sabally, Naphessa Collier and others so it can bring growth the game, similar to how the college game has done the last two years. That will bring much success and eyes to the WNBA games and will open up more opportunities like more pay and the league expanding to 16 teams or more.

This is fluid situation right now. Everybody needs to chill and see what develops. But, it kind of looks like they're going kill the buzz. Caitlin Clark sparked a WNBA marketing fire. Don't throw a wet blanket on it. Sports are entertainment and it's not supposed to be a soap opera. People watch sports to forget about their real problems for awhile. Like having enough money to buy groceries for their kids.

How many Aja Wilson games have you actually watched?!!!?!

Championship don't bring money but now CC bring money Aja don't lol, also internet and the world of bb knows who is CC not who is Aja

It is really sad that most of the WNBA conversations revolve around colour and not about the excitement and quality of the basketball. You mentioned the shoe deal, I saw there were 12 WNBA players who had shoe deals, the first 8/9 were all black women. So it has only been recently times that non-blacks have been even offered something. How it is this unfair? Harlem globetrotters are extremely marketable and successful because they are exciting, fun and entertaining to watch. Their heritage has nothing to do why people love them. Perhaps the question you should be asking, "how do we make WNBA basketball more exciting and fun to watch?"

The player make more than enough for the entertainment and play they produce, nobody wants to see layups all game long

Caitlin really got y'all in a tizzy. Stop finding ways to reduce her shine and support her more. She is good for the sport, which means shes good for everyone. I hardly watch college ball or the WNBA. Caitlin changed that. You can market literally anything, but stars like Caitlin or Lebron or Serena will always outshine everyone. Getting a shoe deal is not about "deserving" or "earning". It isn't a trophy. Nike is running a business. They give deals to whoever they think can sell the most shoes. But hey i get it. You need CONTENT

Well versed content! I really appreciate the balanced research! Best one yet! Keep up the good work!

Think about this: Caitlin Clark is the only repeat winner of the James E Sullivan award during it's 94- yr. existence. This award is what matters most in Collegiate sports, including basketball. This award is also an individual award; having championship trophies does not carry much weight. In fact, even benchwarmers have championship rings in the game of basketball.

Nobody knows AJ Wilson all these new fans are coming in because of the new generation they don’t give a damn about AJ Wilson. She wasn’t changing the game. The change is coming with the new generation.

It's the big pink elephant in the room on why the WNBA fell off from the early, brilliant marketing. The problem is negative personalities and the league becoming a social justice vehicle pushing lesbianism more than basketball! Aj'a is a Straight, Black Woman, THAT'S why she's deemed "not marketable," and they don't want her to be the face of the league. But, your whole "inclusive" marketing is correct either. But there AREN'T a lot of marketable players in the league. We don't talk about how Sheryl Swoopes shot the league in the foot by dumping her husband/baby daddy and going lesbian with a darn assistant coach on her team, and Candace Parker, cheating on her husband (Shelden Williams) with a Russian teammate while she was playing overseas. Yes, LESBIANISM, and marketing Lesbianism is the WNBA's problem, but NO ONE wants to say that, and as long as that's the foundation of how the is, it's represented, and how it's promoted, it's NEVER gonna market very well. Caitlin is the best Straight, White Player to EVER come through the WNBA (Lauren Jackson was pretty good). But that automatically but her at the front of the line for mainstream/White America

Clark would be remembered more than A’ja if she never played a wnba game

Breanna Stewart is signed and has a shoe deal with Puma not Nike. The argument is still valid. It is something all brands and the W needs to consider

I was watching some videos that other KZfaqrs are discussing the topic that have an opposing view, as nauseating as it was lol. (Go look up Black and white sports). People cling to what they see what represents them, and A LOT OF ppl see that in CC, due to obvious reasons. And I think companies and taking advantage of the hype that mainstream media created, the savior trope as you said and how Angel Reese and the like are painted as villains. Tbh tho is feel like if you just put A'ja in front of ppl she'll definitely blow up. Ppl saying that they don't know who she is....that's a failer on the WNBA that ppl don't know who the mvp is (then again a lot of these people that are taking interest in the WNBA is strictly just because of CC) You gotta get their stories out there and let their personalities blossom and I think ppl will catch on, at least the ones that don't believe in the whole "woke mob" nonsense

I never heard of Aja until last two days. Clark’s name I know. Hey it’s business.

The people are talking about the old degeneration of player. That’s there not the new generations of players that’s coming in. You’re getting this twisted.

Prior to Caitlin Clark I and probably 75 % of that public didn’t watch the WNBA . Not only am I watching I actually signed up for the WNBA app. Caitlin Clark has enlightened the viewers to the abundance of talent in Woman basketball.

If you guys want to make an argument, please talk about Angel Reese, Not A'ja, you have a better chance with Nike. By the way other shoe brands offered Caitlin a deal not just Nike.

About Aja Wilson not being marketbale, simple fact... however great and accomplished she is no WNBA game in history has even gotten above 1 million viewership (average). Simple math... those numbers just says that WNBA is not popular/interesting to cassual viewer. We have to understand that Aja Wilson was the star of the last few WNBA finals, but it couldn't break even a million viewership. CC and Iowa ALL games was record breaking in 2024... i mean if you look at each game from the NCAA tournament stage perspective. And the last 3 was ALL TIME record breaking in viewership at any stage. So it's kinda easy for Nike to pick CC and be doubtful of Aja Wilson marketability.

Who is Aja?

The viewership difference between Caitlyn and Angel is just 10 million views I think you can understand where the market is. Just Caitlyn is on another level than the whole women's basketball all together. Nobody cares about WNBA it's all about Miss Clark.

You know, over these 20 years, many of us fans got tired of the woke and gay and we don’t need men statements in their pressers. When you show animous, dislike, or jealousy, you have now made yourself not marketable to my brand. It is the players’ job to show brands that they can pull attention on tv and in ticket sales. If they were all the same color, green, only certain ones might be marketabla. If we stop watching if Clark does not make it, I will still see the boring games and here the whining, that even though I watch, I am tired of. This rookie group is really deep. Let them just be themselves.

It makes sense that the person who had more points scored in D1 history would get a shoe deal. It makes sense to me as these shoe companies care about money. If Caitlin Clark has an "off season", marketing will fall. Remember how popular Kanye West was and Adidas eventually dropping him. I hope ALL these ladies have a great injury-free season, and get to enjoy what they're doing.

Not just Kaitlyn Clark is Caitlyn Clark and the new generations of talent that’s coming in the WNBA look for them. Are they gonna be a problem in a great way?

Caitlin Clark is the 6th WBNA player to have an endorsement deal. Candace Parker is the black woman in the WNBA to have an endorsement deal with Adidas. Other than that, no other WNBA player has an endorsement deal, and part of the reason is because the WNBA has not proven to thrive on its own as it is subsidized by the NBA. A'ja Wilson is more than deserving of an endorsement deal, and she will probably may get one soon as her track record and accolades speak for itself. However, Caitlin Clark is coming into the WNBA with 18 million viewers, name another WNBA player who has has this type of momentum coming into the WNBA league??? The entire 2024 draft class is going to have the league's attention and draw more viewers, and it is led by Caitlin Clark. She's the needle mover. Before all of this, how much support does the fans show to the WNBA players and games? It's truthfully not a lot. WNBA has been around for 28 seasons and generates $200 million in revenue annually. I don't think the problem is "Black women are not marketable" there's barely any support for the WNBA league and its players. Marketing issues have been a problem for years. Caitlin Clark's WNBA salary is low and that's because the WNBA still has tons of room for improvement for its salary disparity.

Get Lamar Ball to offer AJa a shoe deal

Nike knows what is best for there company. And why is Under Armour was trying to get CC also. Meaning both of this company saw something.

If you want others to be marketed, you better pray CC turns out well.

does Ajas accomplishment include a higher viewed NC game than the guys NC game? no? does she have the highest viewed College WBB games of all time? was there a chance of bringing that viewership from college to pro?

Caitlin is the undeniably the hottest thing women's basketball has seen in quite some time, maybe ever. That being said, I disagree that CC is inherently more marketable than A'ja Wilson. Popularity and marketability are not the same thing, and as incredible as CC is and has been, it's difficult to deny the very intentional marketing we've seen from the mainstream media over the past two years. The amount of coverage we've seen from major networks & social media companies (Bleacher Report, Overtime, etc.) has literally been unprecedented and has greatly contributed to the popularity of women's college stars like CC, Angel Reese, JuJu Watkins, & a host of others.

Don’t have to ask. If you want to give Aja a shoe deal, raise 50000000 and give it to her. And secondly the WNBA does not manage the product endorsements, the producer does.

Clark has had the entire Mass Main Stream Media pushing her Brand for at least 2 years now. Without that she doesn't get nearly the attention she has regardless of what she did or didn't do in College. By comparison, South Carolina goes undefeated for the entire season and Beats Clark yet they barely get an Honorable Mention. When an entire Nation picks anyone to be whatever, it's hard to stop that wave. Nike is just riding that wave. They are all about Money and nothing else.

Folks who are saying Aja who? need to quit trolling. Every women's basketball fans know who Aja Wilson is, if not, watch when Indiana faces Las Vegas! for the mystery will be over

WNBA is on in a position to do better because of the new generation of players that’s coming in the older players that been there been toxic and bad for the game. That’s what you need to talk about. Let’s get to that.

They are all marketable, but are they marking themselves. Caitlin is the only reason that the rest of these women are even on the radar of most people. I only know them because they played Iowa. I never watched a game in my life until I saw Caitlin. She is what most people who enjoy sports have been waiting for. She is a super talented player, a good wholesome person (not because she is white) and doesn't slap us in the face by disrespecting our troops by protesting the flag of the country they die for, and injecting their political garbage into the games and she's not covered in tattoos. I will also be watching JuJu because she has that same appeal Caitlin does. We watch sports to escape all that garbage, so stand for the flag and shut your mouth about your political crap and play the game. The NBA is not doing well with viewers right now because we had guys like Lebron spewing their political beliefs to us. We don't want to hear it

Yes. She is many, many times more marketable. This has already been proven. Next topic.

I didn't make High School basketball... I was a football coach and had a female player who wound up playing for the WNBA.. I have played 1 on 1 with several starters.. at 45 yrs old, not one came close to beating me. I would worry playing CC because she shoots while moving... even steph spots up... this girl just jumps and shoots mid stride and hits it !

😂😂😂 nobody said black women are not marketable. We said Aja Wilson is not this is a fact nobody doesn’t know who she is Angel Reese is way more marketable then her and she black got way more followers jerseys sold out in 1 week and definitely will have her shoe coming as soon as shaq gets the paperwork done. So stop the racist stuff with Caitlin black people stop hatin on her

Who is aja wilson ?

I like the loyality you have for black players and I know 100% that it has zero to do with you being black ...

MJ, Magic and Bird also had shoe deals before they entered the NBA. So your point is mute.

Glad Angels Jersey sold out probably happened when people could not buy a Caitlin Clark Jersey Caitlin is ,has,and will put butts in the seat are the Aces playing the Fever in a bigger arenea because of Asia no !! Its the freaking Caitlin Clark Effect not the Asia Wilson effect end of Story !!!!!

If BW supported the WNBA as much as Beyoncé there wouldn’t be this much jealously for Caitlin. Caitlin will fill seats and is extremely marketable. BW in the WNBA need to get over themselves. BW in general don’t support the WNBA. Why don’t the strong independent BW support the WNBA?

Women's College Basketball has brought the masses to the women's game not pro WNBA players. Juju Watkins a freshman making a mil. Angel Reese has most followers.

I saw A'ja scream like she just hit a game winner on a layup that she barely made. . .what a joke

Aja who? Nuf said...

I would buy Aja Wilson's shoes before all of them girls ❤

Aja not Asia my bad

Come on now, if A'ja will start dunking, she may attract viewers and perhaps sign with under Armour.

She is wyte HELLOOOOOO thats whyyyyy

Talk about a feeling of entitlement. Walking around with your hand in other people's pocket telling them how to spend their money. Nike should do this, the wnba should pay that.

I would rather see Angel get a Nike deal then Aja…

Yes shes more marketable

It’s a bit complicated, yet not so much. It’s image, skill set, but not jersey sales. The league just wasn’t marketable as is. Y’all needed a fresh new, superstar like talent and Caitlin is that one. Who else could it be? The media didn’t decide that, her talent, style of play, image and, like it or not, her race appealed to the audience. They will come and the money will flow. If not her then who? Same thing happened when Larry Bird arrived, in all places, Boston, and Magic in LA. When Jordan arrived the league was a bit stale and desperately needed him too! I challenge you respectfully to take a hard look at your audience. Name the one demographic that’s sorely missing. I’d say it’s Men. If you look at the one demographic that increased during the height of the tournament, it was men. And, yes, we came to watch Caitlin simply because of her gutsy style of play (she plays fast, like we do) and she can shoot from distance w/ arrogance! This is not to say others can’t. So I’d say, get behind her and raise up the league.

Angel Reese is more mockable and all the black ladies in the women’s NBA and I put $1 billion on that

Here's a painful truth. White people will tend to like other white people. Never understood why this is expected for other races and nationalities, but not White folks. It's not racist to like your own kind. It's human. Sometimes I root for Nigeria in track and field events, I have my biases, too...

She can't sell 10% of the tickets and jersey sales. Reese has million followers.

So many people have tunnel vision ..let's think of bigger picture ..

AJ Wilson is better than Caitlin Clark she is America Hero

They are not marketable. Serena sold far fewer shoes worldwide than sharapova did. Just a fact.

If the WNBA didn't exist, Clark wouldn't be getting a Dime from anyone

Caitlin Clark will average about 20 a game or more. She’s too good of a shooter and you cannot guard her in space. I’m gonna have to watch send for your people to go out there and no team is gonna do that.

Face of the league that no one watches

This is just good Ole racism, I like CC, but damn she ain't won shittt,,,and that's the facts...

You clearly don't know talent and are arguing with the lens of race, do you understand economics in any way?

Don't sleep on Angel Reese... She has a major following

Nobody cares about women’s bball till Caitlin Clark came along

your commentary is very disheartening .

You sound like a hater to nobody knows who Aja is she’s not selling out arenas how many times has her jerseys sold out consumers have no interest in her

The only thing actually more "marketable" about CC over Aja Wilson is her skin tone