With all the viewership that the WNBA has been receiving over the past few years, including this current season, the latest controversy from Nike shows that the ladies who play professional basketball still have a long way to go to get their proper respect.
The Nike basketball division’s X account sent the following statement following the Mavericks’ victory over the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday night: “And that’s that… a week without hoops smh,” along with an irritated upside-down smiling face emoji.
The message was swiftly removed, but not before receiving criticism from media outlets and supporters of women’s basketball, who emphasized that the WNBA would still be in action during that period. Before Game 1 of the NBA Finals begins, the WNBA has 16 games scheduled. On Saturday, ESPN will broadcast the highly anticipated debut of Kamilla Cardoso and the first-ever professional match between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
As many were quick to point out, the Nike Basketball account only needs to glance at its banner image, which highlights A’Ja Wilson’s impending signature shoe, or its most recent post, which highlights Ionescu’s shoe.
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Women’s basketball has been more popular recently, and Nike has been a significant factor in that growth. The Swoosh recently announced the commencement of a campaign for Sabrina Ionescu’s second signature shoe and that A’Ja Wilson, the reigning WNBA Finals MVP, and two-time WNBA MVP, will receive her own signature shoe in 2025. In addition, the Swoosh inked Caitlin Clark for a contract that was reported to be worth $28 million.
Also Read: Nike Is Moving Closer to a “$20 Million Plus Potential Bonuses” Deal for Caitlin Clark
Nike Faces’ Big Decision’ With Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark, the WNBA’s first overall pick, inked a historic $28 million endorsement contract with Nike earlier this year. The agreement included the sportswear behemoth creating the Indiana Fever guard’s distinctive shoe.
A recent MarketWatch story claims that Nike must make a “big decision” about Clark’s iconic shoe.
Although offering the sneaker in both men’s and women’s sizes will probably boost sales, retail industry analyst Matt Powell believes Nike ought to create a product that is more appropriate for a woman’s foot.
“I hope Clark’s shoe is made for a woman,” Powell said, via MarketWatch. “Many women’s performance basketball shoes are simply a sized-down men’s product.”
“Brands make very few women-specific basketball shoes. A woman’s foot is more triangular, forefoot to heel, and her arch tends to be higher than a man’s foot. A man’s foot tends to be more rectangular, and consequently, a shoe built for a man’s foot is really not right for a woman’s foot.”
Also Read: REPORT: Sportswear Giants Nike Set For Mass Layoffs In Bid To Cut Costs
