Caitlin Clark, Sha’Carri Richardson Headline, But Simone Biles Ditched Nike For Sponsor That Focused On Women

Ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, Nike has been hit with a huge controversy. Initially, the Jamaican fans bashed the billion-dollar brand for ignoring Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce from their signature statue series. A few days into the fiasco, Nike was staring down an even larger debacle. Following the release of Team USA’s Olympic kit, fans and athletes alike went up in unison. The kit was criticized heavily for poor design and was also deemed inappropriate for females.
However, this is not the first time that Nike has faced a backlash. But despite the rage, athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson and Caitlyn Clark have stayed true as sponsored athletes of Nike. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the US gymnastics queen Simone Biles.
Simone Biles parted ways with Nike during the Tokyo Olympics
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In one of the biggest events ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles decided to sever her ties with Nike. Teaming up with the women’s clothing brand, Athleta, Biles praised the values of the organization significantly. When asked about her decision to switch, Biles made it clear that her values aligned better with Athleta than Nike. In her words, “I think they stand for everything that I stand for.”
via Getty HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 05: Simone Biles celebrates after winning the all-around at the Core Hydration Classic at Now Arena on August 05, 2023 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
A big reason behind Simone Biles’ decision can be traced back to the constant criticism about Nike’s ways of treating their female athletes. Employers and athletes alike accused Nike of sustaining a toxic environment. Their contracts even had clauses that significantly cut down on athletes’ pay at the time of pregnancy.
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However, while the air surrounding Nike is getting heavy, the likes of Sha’Carri Richardson have strengthened her bond with the company. Recently, Richardson was given the honor to be the face of Nike as they collaborated with the French fashion brand, ‘JACQUEMUS’. And it’s not only Richardson that has made merry, basketball star Caitlin Clark has also struck gold with Nike.
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark’s most lucrative Nike deal creates history for women’s basketball
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22-year-old Indiana Fever basketball sensation, being one of the most celebrated players in the WNBA has just added another feather to her hat. Clark signed a new deal with Nike worth $ 28 million. She has emerged as the best scorer in the history of NCAA Division 1. And now she has reportedly just signed the most expensive sponsorship deal for a woman basketball player in history.
Where Adidas, Puma, and Armour have shown interest in signing contracts, Caitlin Clark has reportedly signed the deal with the brand which has been dominating headlines recently. The $ 3.5 million per year deal with Nike has reportedly been signed for 8 years. But besides this Clark would have her own signature Nike shoe as a part of this endorsement deal. With the Paris Olympics 2024 knocking on the door, what are your thoughts on the same? Let us know in the comment section below.