The news of new Fever rookie Caitlin Clark reportedly nearing an eight-figure shoe deal with Nike set off some keyboard warriors Wednesday.
Many took aim at Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson — a two-time champion and one of the faces of the WNBA, who is also a Nike athlete — after she posted a Bible scripture, “Psalm 37:7,” on X in wake of the buzz about Clark.
That Bible scripture contains a message about being patient amid the success of others.
Wilson shut down one critic in a separate post after they accused her of “hating” on Clark, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft and the NCAA Division 1 all-time leading scorer, men’s or women’s.
lol no one is jealous bookie! I have no reason to be lol I truly Wish all 143 the best fr ! Our league is hard as hell so to thrive and to stay in it consistently.. is huge! So pls stop with this jealousy stuff https://t.co/ERRCCyqCO5
— A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) April 18, 2024
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark holds her jersey following a WNBA basketball news conference on April 17, 2024, in Indianapolis.AP
“The jealousy in the wnba is crazy !!!!!! Caitlin bout to bring a new level of viewership to your league and you hating on her ???” the person wrote to Wilson, who responded with: “lol no one is jealous bookie!
“I have no reason to be lol I truly Wish all 143 [players in the league] the best fr ! Our league is hard as hell so to thrive and to stay in it consistently.. is huge! So pls stop with this jealousy stuff.”
In response to another X user that said, “everyone [is] googling the scripture,” Wilson wrote: “Hahaha right! In other words can’t get upset when God is in control.”
WNBA Champion A’ja Wilson Celebrates ‘Dear Black Girls: How To Be True To You’ at Barnes & Noble Union Square in New York Feb 7, 2024.Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock
Wilson, a New York Times Best-Selling author, does not have a signature shoe with Nike yet.
The former first-overall pick in the 2018 draft out of South Carolina — she led the Gamecocks to a NCAA title the year prior — is a two-time WNBA MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP and three-time All-WNBA selection.
Clark, meanwhile, is nearing an eight-figure endorsement deal with Nike, which includes a signature shoe deal, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday — two days after she was drafted by the Fever.
The news came hours after Wilson was named one of the 2024 TIME 100 Most Influential People.
“I meeeaaan, I might get a shoe before @_ajawilson22 at this rate,” Aces guard Sydney Colson, who is also a comedian, wrote on X.
Wilson replied with a bunch of crying-laughing emojis: “Sydney!!”
😂😂😂😂 Sydney!! https://t.co/Uw4qOVpQOD pic.twitter.com/KQnsCCcBTH
— A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) April 18, 2024
In another post, Wilson wrote: “Always remember what is delayed is not denied.”
Wilson not having a signature shoe deal has been a point of discussion in the WNBA. Some of the other faces of the league in Liberty stars Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart, both have ones with Nike.
Some have argued that Wilson deserves a shoe with Nike before Clark, who has yet to play a WNBA game.
Caitlin Clark arrives prior to the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 15, 2024 in New York City.Getty Images
Clark signed an NIL deal with Nike in October 2022, and her contract was up after her basketball career at Iowa — where the former All-American point guard led the Hawkeyes to the NCAA championship in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024, but came up short to LSU and South Carolina, respectively.
Clark became a household name at Iowa during her senior year with her shooting prowess and elite passing — and played a major role in the dominance of women’s college basketball.
The 22-year-old Iowa native also reportedly received “sizable offers” from Under Armour and Adidas, industry sources told The Athletic.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket as South Carolina Gamecocks guard Bree Hall (23) defends during the NCAA Tournament championship basketball game on April 7, 2024 in Cleveland.Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORKWhat do you think? Post a comment.
The news came amid fiery debates about Clark’s WNBA salary from from celebrities, politicians and morning show hosts.
Clark is set to get $338,056 over four seasons with the Fever, making $76,535 during her rookie campaign, per Spotrac.
The Gatorade athlete has a (NIL) valuation of $3.4 million and endorsement deals with a State Farm, among many other brands.
