Caitlin Clark’s historic shoe deal isn’t historic enough for Dave Portnoy.
The Barstool Sports founder claimed the Indiana Fever’s No. 1 pick is “getting screwed” with her eight-year, $28 million deal with Nike that includes a signature shoe.
“If people want to complain about Caitlin Clark getting screwed complain about this. 8 year 28 million deal is STEALING,” Portnoy posted Tuesday on X. “8 years 80 million min is her worth and that’s still prob too cheap. I hope she has an early opt out if they don’t pay up when she blows through this deal.”
When an X user responded asking how many men would buy Clark’s shoes and calling the deal an “overpay,” Portnoy doubled down while dissing Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker.
“Men would 100% buy her sneakers. All girls who play hoop will,” Portnoy said. “Devin Booker got 5 years 50 million. Caitlin is 100x the Star and impact.”
While perhaps Clark made a mistake by not having Portnoy negotiating her sneaker contract, the former Iowa superstar set a record with her Nike pact, as originally reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Nike won a bidding war with its contract, triumphing against the likes of Adidas, Under Armour and Puma for a contract that Clark’s agents said had to be worth at least $3 million per season.
Puma bowed out at that price range, per the WSJ, having already negotiated a contract and shoe with Liberty star Breanna Stewart.
Adidas offered $6 million over four years, which was half of the minimum target, while Under Armour offered $16 million for four years, per the report.
While that deal offers more in annual average value, Clark chose the highest total with Nike.
Nike’s original offer didn’t include a shoe, but the global heavyweight finally upped its terms to include one, per the WSJ.
Clark and the Fever open their season May 14 on the road against the Connecticut Sun.