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Sunday, January 18, 2026

Caitlin Clark’s Signature Shoe Could Be $100 Million Business: Sneaker Expert

The Fever star’s own player-edition of the Nike Kobe V Protro released in Fever colors sold out within minutes.

Nike banners featuring Caitlin Clark are installed along the eastern side of Des Moines' Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.
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Caitlin Clark’s first signature shoe might still be a year away, but insiders say it could be worth $100 million.

“I think when Caitlin’s shoe comes out it can be a $100 million business,” sneaker insider and author Nick DePaula told Front Office Sports on a recent episode of Front Office Sports Today. “It could become a top five signature franchise across basketball.” Clark’s signature sneaker is part of her eight-year, $28 million deal with Nike.

Clark’s debut sneaker is expected to launch in spring 2026, DePaula says, following the typical two-year development cycle for signature drops. While some had hoped for a speedy release in time for July’s WNBA All Star Weekend in Indiana, DePaula said the brand is taking a long view: “They want to get it right.” 

In the meantime, fans will still see new Clark footwear on store shelves, with a navy Indiana Fever colorway set to drop this month and a grey pair slotted for the fall. 

For now, Clark is wearing Kobe PEs on the court, but anticipation for her signature line is only growing. Her own player-edition of the Nike Kobe V Protro released in Fever colors sold out within minutes, signaling strong demand even before her signature shoe hits the market.

Clark’s commercial pull is unmatched in today’s game. Before she even stepped on a WNBA court, her Fever jersey had sold out nationwide, as Nike took heat for failing to meet demand. Road games against the Fever have forced teams like the Aces and Mystics to relocate due to overwhelming ticket sales. On resale markets, median prices for Fever games have soared past $550 in some cities.

Wherever Caitlin goes, fans (and dollars) follow.

As DePaula put it, “I once asked a player what skill they learned in the shoe process over time and they said patience.” For Caitlin Clark, that patience is set to pay off in a very big way.

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