The former Nike executive who signed Michael Jordan to one of the most lucrative shoe deals in the history of sports and footwear believes Caitlin Clark should have gotten the same deal as MJ.
Sonny Vaccaro told TMZ Sports that Clark was in a similar position to Jordan when he graduated from college.
“She should have gotten a piece of everything, like Michael Jordan,” he says. Said TMZ Sports.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever poses for a photo with Lin Dunn, Christy Sides and others during the inaugural press conference at Bainbridge Fieldhouse on April 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
“She’ll never reach a higher peak than she did in college in the Final Four last year,” he added. “If she wants to become the greatest female athlete in the world, it’s going to take time. And she can do it.”
Vaccaro believes he earned less than Clark could have earned.
“I was treated so badly,” he said. “I thought they (the agents) handled it wrong. I think the reason for that was because, like (Sabrina) Ionescu and a few others, she felt like she owed Nike a debt.”
No. 22 Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever poses for a portrait during the inaugural press conference at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Matt Kreiger/NBAE via Getty Images)
Clark, who signed with Nike in 2022, ultimately signed an eight-year deal with the sports apparel giant worth up to $28 million.
Vaccaro also suggested that previous name, image and likeness (NIL) agreements may have played a role in reducing Clark’s income.
