Michael Jordan’s success with Nike was a pivotal moment in the world of sports sponsorship, and Sonny Vaccaro, the former executive who played a key role in signing him to a contract, believes that Caitlin Clark could have benefited from similar treatment in her recent deal with an American sports giant.
Vaccaro, who also worked with Adidas and Reebok to expand their brands, feels that Clark’s team should have negotiated for a better deal that included a share in the profits, similar to what Jordan had. While Clark has dominated at Indiana Fever practice and showcased immense talent and potential, she missed out on significant earnings based on sales due to missing out on a royalty agreement like Jordan had.
This highlights the importance of negotiating fair and lucrative deals for athletes, especially female athletes in a male-dominated industry. By learning from the successes of legends like Michael Jordan, young stars like Caitlin Clark can ensure that they maximize their earning potential and secure their future in the highly competitive world of professional sports.