While the WNBA is currently chilling in offseason mode, Indiana Fever star and hoops sensation Caitlin Clark decided to give an entirely different sport a try—because why not? Golf! Yes, you read that right. The 22-year-old Rookie of the Year traded her high-flying threes for tee shots at the LPGA’s The ANNIKA pro-am in Florida. Spoiler alert: it didn’t quite look like she’ll be joining the PGA Tour anytime soon, but hey, at least she had fun.
Now, Clark’s golf swing? Let’s just say it could use a bit more time at the driving range—just like most of us who think we’re better than we are. But that’s not the point. Caitlin being Caitlin, she approached the whole thing with a smile and swagger that only someone with an iconic WNBA debut could pull off.
Of course, in just a few weeks, Clark will be dropping her golf clubs (thankfully) and lacing up her sneakers again to prepare for her sophomore season with the Fever. She’s already eyeing the second year of her four-year, $338,000 contract after being snatched up as the No. 1 overall pick. And yes, Fever coach Stephanie White will be back on the sidelines, likely with a fresh stock of aspirin, because coaching a superstar like Clark is both a blessing and a…challenge.
“Setting the Market… One Eye-Popping Contract at a Time”
Enter Erin Kane, Clark’s agent and the one responsible for ensuring Caitlin’s pockets stay as full as her highlight reel. On the “Diggin’ Deep Podcast” this week, Kane peeled back the curtain on what it’s like to negotiate deals for a player whose name alone causes brands to line up like they’re waiting for the newest iPhone release.
“Look, Caitlin’s not just another player. She’s a unicorn,” Kane said with a smile you could probably hear through the podcast. “When you represent a client like her, it’s about setting the market. Everyone thinks you can just say what you want, but really, you have to read the room—or rather, the entire market. Reality check: agents aren’t magicians.”
Translation? Clark’s star power doesn’t just give her deals; it shifts the whole landscape. And as Kane pointed out, it’s not just what Clark does, but how she does it. With that killer instinct and court vision that has left both defenders and commentators gasping for breath, Clark has joined a select group of female athletes who transcend their sports. We’re talking names like Serena Williams, Simone Biles…and now, Caitlin Clark. And yeah, feel free to let that sink in.
The Brand Queen: More Deals Than a Black Friday Sale
Clark, whose dazzling play at Iowa made her a nationwide sensation faster than you can say “Caitlin from the Logo,” has snagged some pretty hefty endorsements. Nike? Check. Gatorade? Absolutely. Wilson? You bet. In fact, she even has her own series of basketballs now, which, let’s be honest, are probably better than anything most of us could ever afford to use at our local gym.
So while she’s still working on her golf swing (because even legends need hobbies), Caitlin Clark is making waves not just on the court, but in the boardroom. And at 22, she’s just getting started. Now, if she could just figure out how to get that pesky golf ball to actually go straight…