Michael Jordan’s former executive warns Caitlin Clark missed out on a major payday with Nike.

Caitlin Clark has become a dominant force in the WNBA, earning her teammates’ respect with her immense talent and potential. However, Sonny Vaccaro, a former Nike executive, believes that she missed an opportunity in her recent deal with the sports supplier. Vaccaro played a key role in signing Michael Jordan to a contract with Nike in the 1970s and later worked with Adidas and Reebok to expand their brands. As an advocate for athletes’ rights, he feels that Clark’s team should have negotiated for a better deal that included a share in the profits like Jordan had.

The 28-year-old signed a $28 million contract over eight years, averaging $3.5 million per year until she turns 30. While she will have her own signature shoe as part of the deal, she does not have a royalty agreement like Jordan did, missing out on the potential for significant earnings based on sales. This highlights the importance of negotiating fair and lucrative deals for athletes, especially female athletes who face challenges in a male-dominated industry.

Vaccaro’s comments underscore the need for young stars to learn from legends like Michael Jordan and demand better terms from their sponsors. By doing so, they can maximize their earning potential and secure their future in professional sports while also advocating for greater rights and fairness for all athletes.

In conclusion, Caitlin Clark’s dominance at Indiana Fever practice is impressive but could have been even more significant if she had negotiated better terms with Nike. As an advocate for athlete rights, Sonny Vaccaro believes that young stars like Clark can benefit from learning from legends like Michael Jordan to ensure they get the best possible deals from their sponsors.