Sonny Vaccaro, a former Nike executive known for signing Michael Jordan to a groundbreaking shoe deal, believes that basketball star Caitlin Clark deserved a similar deal. In an interview with TMZ Sports, Vaccaro compared Clark’s potential to Jordan’s when he entered the league.
Vaccaro expressed his belief that Clark should have received a deal that gave her a share of everything, just like Jordan did. He emphasized that Clark’s value was at its peak during her college career and Final Four appearance, and if she aims to become the best female player in the world, it will take time but is possible.
However, Vaccaro criticized the way Clark’s negotiations were handled, suggesting that she may have received less money than she deserved. He attributed this to the influence of previous endorsement deals and agents who may have pushed her towards commitments with Nike. In 2022, Clark signed an 8-year deal with Nike worth up to $28 million.
