Iowa Hawkeyes star player Caitlin Clark signed a deal with Gatorade, the fourth college athlete to do so.
“I am fortunate to be part of the first generation of collegiate athletes who are not only able to contribute to the legacy of our colleges and universities, but also start to build something of our own off the court,” Clark told ESPN. “Working with a brand like Gatorade is really a dream come true, but NIL is about more than just endorsements and partnerships. Athletes are learning about entire industries, how they work, and how we might be able to pursue other passions while we are playing and after our playing careers are over.”
As part of the deal, Gatorade will donate $22,000 to the Caitlin Clark Foundation. The other athletes who have signed with Gatorade are UConn guard Paige Bueckers, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and Penn State running back Nick Singleton.
“At Gatorade, we take pride in our elite athlete roster and have had the privilege of fueling some of the greatest athletes of all time,” Gatorade’s global head of sports marketing Jeff Kearney said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be a part of Caitlin’s journey to greatness early in her career and look forward to building upon the incredible impact she’s already made.”
Clark also works with Hy-Vee, Nike and State Farm. She is a senior with the Hawkeyes with an optional fifth year of collegiate eligibility, but would be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft if she leaves UI. She was named the AP women’s basketball Player of the Year in March, and Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year in June.
