Caitlin Clark might be the new face of women’s basketball, but it seems even her star power can get eclipsed—by her own teammate, no less. While Nike is busy dragging its feet on delivering Clark’s promised signature shoe, Adidas swooped in and plastered her Indiana Fever buddy, Aliyah Boston, on a massive billboard in Times Square. And not just any billboard—the kind that makes tourists stop and snap pics.
It’s safe to say Adidas pulled a fast one here, shining the spotlight on Boston while Nike has Clark… well, somewhere near Swarovski Penn Plaza. Yes, that’s right, folks. Caitlin Clark’s “big moment” in New York City isn’t in the iconic hustle of Times Square, but instead a few blocks away—sort of like being seated at the wedding next to the bathroom. Sure, it’s nice to have your own billboard, but when your bestie is dominating the advertising world’s Madison Square Garden, your flashy Nike promo feels a bit like a JV effort.
The Teammate Rivalry—On Billboards
Adidas, the scrappy underdog brand that’s worth a mere $42 billion (just peanuts compared to Nike’s $183 billion), outmaneuvered the swoosh by throwing Aliyah Boston right in the heart of NYC. Boston, a 2023 Rookie of the Year, isn’t just showing up on stat sheets—she’s showing up in Times Square. And Caitlin Clark? Oh, she’s holding it down at Swarovski Penn Plaza, which, if you don’t know, is as impressive as scoring one three-pointer in a blowout game.
But here’s the kicker: both Clark and Boston have been tearing it up since they joined the WNBA. Boston, the top pick in 2023, laid the foundation, and Clark followed in 2024, adding her own touch of magic to the Fever franchise. On-court dominance aside, the real branding war has started. Nike got Clark early on, back in her Iowa days, while Adidas snapped up Boston right after she was drafted. And with the Times Square billboard, Adidas seems to be winning the “brand flex” game by a landslide.
The Waiting Game: Where’s Caitlin Clark’s Signature Shoe?
The real question on everyone’s mind: where’s Caitlin Clark’s signature Nike shoe? This isn’t just about footwear anymore; it’s about Nike potentially dropping the ball. Back in April, Clark inked a fat $28 million deal with Nike that included the promise of her very own sneaker line. Fans have been on high alert since then, waiting for a sneak peek, an announcement, anything that hints at the release. So far? Crickets.
Meanwhile, Clark’s stardom continues to explode. A limited-edition batch of Caitlin Clark memorabilia sold out in minutes, and her rare Panini autographed card is being flipped on eBay for an eye-watering $350,000. That’s more than triple the price of her previous record-breaking $97,212 card. Clearly, the demand for all things Caitlin Clark is through the roof. So, why is Nike moving at the pace of a pre-season scrimmage when Clark is on her way to MVP status?
Nike’s Slow Dribble vs. Adidas’ Fast Break
Rumors have been swirling that Nike is focusing more on A’ja Wilson’s sneaker line, especially after she snagged her third MVP award. No disrespect to Wilson—she’s earned that hardware—but the longer Nike delays, the louder the whispers get. There’s even been speculation (read: fan conspiracy theories) that Clark might ditch Nike for Adidas to join her pal Boston. While that might make for a juicy headline, Clark seems loyal to the swoosh, at least for now.
Still, with Boston taking over Times Square and Adidas playing a crafty marketing game, Nike better step up their game. Clark is practically begging for that signature shoe—along with a little more Times Square love—and fans are hungry for more. If Nike doesn’t deliver soon, they risk letting Adidas run away with the narrative. And we all know what happens when Nike lets someone else control the story—they get dunked on.
So, here’s to hoping that Nike finally laces up and gives Clark the sneaker line she deserves before Adidas builds another billboard for Boston, maybe one with flashing lights and a 3D hologram. Because right now, in the battle of brands, Adidas is up by 20, and Nike needs to call a timeout.