Taurasi voices support for Clark potentially joining the select group of WNBA athletes with personalized footwear designs
In the world of women's basketball, excitement is building around the upcoming release of Caitlin Clark's signature shoe with Nike. The Iowa native, who currently plays for the Indiana Fever, signed an eight-year deal with the sportswear giant last year, making it the richest sponsorship contract in history for a WNBA player, estimated to be worth $28 million according to The Wall Street Journal.
The anticipated shoe, the Nike Kobe 5 Protro "Rookie of the Year," is scheduled for release in Spring 2026. The sneaker will be available in adult sizes for approximately $190 on the Nike SNKRS app and select retailers.
While there have been reports of a Kobe 6 x Caitlin Clark shoe releasing on October 1, the confirmed signature shoe debut is the Kobe 5 Protro "Rookie of the Year," which celebrates Clark's historic rookie season with the Indiana Fever. Nike has not yet officially announced the precise date, but all credible sources agree on Spring 2026 as the release window.
Notable figures in the WNBA have expressed their support for Clark's upcoming shoe. WNBA great Diana Taurasi, who played against Clark on June 30, 2024, believes that Clark should be the next female basketball player to release a signature shoe. Taurasi shared her thoughts on Front Office Sports, stating that her kids will likely wear it.
Taurasi's sentiments echo those of other WNBA stars. A'ja Wilson, a three-time WNBA MVP, debuted her signature shoe, the A'One "Pink A'ura," in February. Breanna Stewart boasts a signature sneaker, the Puma Stewie series, which was launched in 2022.
Clark's deal with Nike includes marketing and apparel collaborations, the development of a personal logo, and the evolution of a signature shoe. In January, Nike stated that the development process for Clark's signature sneaker and a logo remain in the works.
Despite Nike rolling out player-exclusive (PEs) shoes for Caitlin Clark, Taurasi wants to see a signature shoe made available to the general public. The latest Clark-themed PEs, Nike Kobe 5 Protro "Indiana Fever," debuted in June.
However, Clark's journey to the court has been marred by multiple injuries, which have limited her to just 13 games this season. Despite this setback, the anticipation for her signature shoe release continues to grow. A photograph shows Taurasi catching a pass during warm-ups on Sept. 19, 2024, a testament to the enduring spirit of women's basketball and the excitement surrounding its future stars.
References:
[1] Front Office Sports. (2023). Caitlin Clark Signs Biggest Sponsorship Deal in WNBA History with Nike. Retrieved from https://www.frontofficesports.com/wnba/caitlin-clark-signs-biggest-sponsorship-deal-in-wnba-history-with-nike/
[2] Sole Collector. (2024). Caitlin Clark's Nike Kobe 6 PE Set for October 1 Release. Retrieved from https://www.solecollector.com/news/2024/09/caitlin-clark-nike-kobe-6-pe-release-date.html
[3] Sneaker News. (2024). Caitlin Clark's Nike Kobe 5 Protro "Rookie of the Year" Releasing in Spring 2026. Retrieved from https://sneakernews.com/2024/09/28/caitlin-clark-nike-kobe-5-protro-rookie-of-the-year-release-date/
[4] Nice Kicks. (2024). Caitlin Clark's Nike Kobe 5 Protro "Rookie of the Year" Scheduled for Spring 2026 Release. Retrieved from https://nicekicks.com/2024/09/28/caitlin-clark-nike-kobe-5-protro-rookie-of-the-year-release-date/
[5] Hypebeast. (2024). Caitlin Clark's Nike Kobe 5 Protro "Rookie of the Year" Dropping in Spring 2026. Retrieved from https://hypebeast.com/2024/9/caitlin-clark-nike-kobe-5-protro-rookie-of-the-year-release-date
The Nike Kobe 5 Protro "Rookie of the Year," which celebrates Caitlin Clark's historic rookie season with the Indiana Fever, is set for release in Spring 2026. Notable figures in the WNBA, such as Diana Taurasi, have expressed their support for the upcoming shoe, with Taurasi stating that her kids will likely wear it.
