Caitlin Clark Signs With Wilson, To Design Signature Basketball

Caitlin Clark, who is a part of Wilson and will be seen on basketballs and begin an initiative to create an exclusive ball, the first by Wilson ever since Michael Jordan.

By Tim Newcomb

May 21, 2024 09:54 AM

When a child approaches NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader Caitlin Clark, sporting an iconic Wilson basketballs, and asks for her signature, you can expect it to be a moment that the currently Indiana Fever player won’t forget.

“I think it is going to take me a second,” Clark says to me following practice from Indianapolis. “You simply take it into. Through what I’ve tried to accomplish over the past year, there’s been many first and memorable moments. This is one of them. This will make it more unique to me younger fan.”

Clark who had completed her college career with The University of Iowa, was picked at the top of the WNBA draft by the Fever. Clark made her debut in the regular season on in May 14th, meaning Clark and her teammates have been busy with business aspects of basketball. The deals are brand new and include two exclusive products that include a signature shoe by Nike Nike as well as an exclusive basketball from Wilson the latest sponsor.

“I think the biggest thing with Wilson is it is a brand I have always had in my life,” she explains. “I was a kid with this yellow and black basketball that I played in the front yard every day. I was frequently dribbling across the concrete hoop that was near our house.”

MORE: Wilson’s Highly Engineered Airless Basketball Releasing At Retail

The contract with Wilson includes a special edition basketball that honors Clark as well as a new line of signature basketball designs. Clark is the only player apart from Michael Jordan to be given the signature treatment from Wilson. “I feel fortunate and lucky,” Clark states. “Michael is one of the greatest ever. To see children using my signature [ball] to dribbleand how fortunate am I to be a part of an event like that, and to be be the first person to do it since Jordan? I believe it puts in the perspective of how highly regarded Wilson is as well as what they’re doing, and the basketballs that they are making.”

But, more than anything, Clarks says she’s looking at connecting to the newest generation. When Clarks gets started with her signature designs, she’ll be focusing on what she’s passionate about and will appeal to a range of people.

“I want to create something that captures the joy of basketball and just how much fun it is to play,” she states. “Those have been two constants for me, and it’s something I hope I can share with everyone.”

No matter how the whole process takes place, Clark knows she’s in the driver’s seat. Her name is in the air at the end of the day. “The coolest part,” she declares, “is I get to have final say on things.”

Alongside Clark’s signature ball, Wilson declares that Clark will offer advice and give feedback on the range of Wilson basketball-related products. The brand is planning to launch collections at different price points that honor Clark throughout the remainder of 2024. It will also collaborate with her to develop the signature line set to be released in the next year. The first collection includes an Wilson classic gold and white WNBA ball, which is personalized with laser engravings of the most iconic Clark moments.

As part of the agreement between the brand and the player, Wilson also becomes an official partner of the Caitlin C. Clark Foundation, with its goal to improve the lives of young people through nutrition, education and sports. “I think it shows that this is a true partnership,” Clark declares. “I want to give back to the people and communities that have supported me along the way, and I am grateful to Wilson for being part of that impact.”

MORE: Wilson Creates ‘Sharper’ Blade Racket With V9 Release

“Caitlin Clark is not just a record-setting athlete, but a cultural icon who has had a profound impact on the game,” says Amanda Lamb, Wilson’s global brand head. “We couldn’t be prouder to join forces with her to continue innovating basketball both on and off the court.”

The business-oriented approach isn’t a new thing for Clark who enjoyed lucrative NIL deals during his time at Iowa and studied marketing in the Iowa City-based university. “I’m an entrepreneur. I know what I’m accomplishing,” she says about the increasing number of opportunities for sponsorship. “I gain real-world experience each everyday, which is better than anything I could accomplish at school. I’ve been learning in the moment.”

Clark says she is grateful to her team members to help her navigate the details of her agreements and decisions that allow her to concentrate on basketball. A part of her dedication to basketball will include designing a Wilson basketball.

WILSON SPORTING GOODS DOUBLES DOWN ON WOMEN’S GAME BY SIGNING CAITLIN CLARK

“PRNewswire” — Wilson Sporting Goods Co. announces today a multiyear collaboration in partnership with Indiana Fever guard, Caitlin Clark, to form part of its roster of athletes ….

By Wilson Sporting Goods Co.

May 21, 2024 06:00 AM

Multiyear deal will include Clark’s first-ever signature basketball line and innovation of future basketball product

CHICAGO 21 MAY 2024 — /PRNewswire– Wilson Sporting Goods Co. announces today a multi-year partnership together with Indiana Fever guard, Caitlin Clark, to be part of the roster of athletes. Wilson will release exclusive basketball collections that celebrate Clark’s legacy for years to come and will partner with her in the development of products for the WNBA, NBA and basketball as a whole, further proving her place in the sport world.

“Wilson is made to celebrate the most iconic moments in sport, and we have always aligned ourselves with trailblazers who break boundaries and write their own story,” says Amanda Lamb, Head of Global Brand at Wilson. “Caitlin Clark is not just a record-setting athlete, but a cultural icon who has had a profound impact on the game. We couldn’t be prouder to join forces with her to continue innovating basketball both on and off the court.”

In Clark’s capacity as a coach, she will evaluate, provide advice and feedback on a variety of Wilson basketball products, further improving how Wilson continues to enhance the game from junior to professional. Wilson will release collections that honor Clark throughout the remainder of 2024 as well working with her to create her own signature basketball collection that will launch later this year.

“Wilson has been with me across some of the most pivotal moments in my career so far, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue driving basketball forward alongside them,” says Caitlin Clark, NCAA Division I all-time top scoring player in the NCAA Division I and WNBA rookie. “It feels surreal to have my own basketball collection, and to affect what that means for future generations of athletes.”

The first installment of the collection will be available on the 21st of this month, featuring Wilson’s signature gold and white WNBA basketball, which is personalized with laser engravings that celebrate famous Clark moments. Customers can pick one of three styles to customize their own basketball. This release will only be available on Wilson.com.

In line with Wilson’s goal of creating a better society through sports, a major element of this collaboration will be to provide youngsters to participate in sports across the nation. The collection of products are available to customers at various prices, and through Wilson’s direct-to-consumer channels as well as key retailers. Additionally, Wilson will support the Caitlin Clark Foundation and assist in the goal of improving the lives of young people and their communities through nutrition, education and sport- three of the pillars Caitlin believes were the key to her achievement. For more details, check out Wilson.com and follow @WilsonBasketball and @Wilson on Twitter and Instagram.

About Wilson

Chicago America-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co. is the leading manufacturer of high-performance sporting equipment, clothing shoes, and other accessories. The Company provides more than a century of creativity and tradition into the realm of sports celebrating the defining moments that were made possible thanks to Wilson throughout Racquet Sports, Baseball, Softball, American Football, Basketball Volleyball, Soccer, and Golf. Wilson is part of the Amer Sports Group, a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

in basketball, Wilson is the provider of Official Game Basketballs for the National Basketball Association(r) (NBA), the Women’s National Basketball Association(r) (WNBA), National Collegiate Athletic Association(r) (NCAA) for March Madness and the Final Four, Basketball Champions League (BCL), Basketball Africa League (BAL), FIBA 3×3 and a total of 39 high school state associations.

SOURCE Wilson Sporting Goods Co.