Caitlin Clark’s popularity continues to soar to unprecedented heights.
The Indiana Fever guard enjoyed a stellar season on the court, winning the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year award.
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And she is going from strength to strength off it, too.
Clark is set to launch her first signature shoe in a $28 million collaboration with Nike in 2025.
And she has now smashed the record she set in October for the most valuable WNBA trading card of all time.
The one-of-a-kind 2024 Panini Select WNBA Gold Vinyl fetched $234,850 via online marketplace Goldin on Saturday.
Fans could not believe their eyes at the figures involved.
“This is actually insane. And people really think that this can be duplicated any time soon? This is generational,” said one.
“Goodness! It’s not even a rookie patch auto (I don’t know if CC has any yet) What an age we’re living in!!!” another added.
“That’s insane just one season into her WNBA career. It’s not unexpected though,” a third posted on X.
The sale more than doubled the previous best – Clark’s Panini Instant Rookie of the Year Blue Viper, which fetched $97,212.54.
But she failed to usurp tennis great Serena Williams.
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The most expensive women’s sports card ever sold was a 2003 NetPro Serena Williams autographed patch card, which featured part of a match-worn outfit. It netted $266,400 in 2022.
Just one year into her professional career, Clark has plenty of time to catch up.
The 22-year-old led the Fever into the playoffs as a rookie and new coach Stephanie White believes the team can become a perennial contender.
Clark turned down a reported six-figure offer to join the offseason Unrivaled league in order to stay fresh.
Fans praised her dedication and all signs point to an even more formidable player showing up next season after a hard-earned rest.
Her arrival has generated an estimated $36 million for the Indianapolis economy.
Finance guru Dr Ryan Brewer spoke to the Indianapolis Star Network about Clark’s financial impact.
“The numbers are so staggering,” said Brewer, associate professor of finance at Indiana University Columbus. “They don’t even seem real.
“I have her economic impact on the city of Indianapolis at $36 million and the impact on the WNBA is at least at $40 million.
“Now, let’s take a breath for a minute and think about this. That’s for one year. We’re talking about one player.”
Clark entered the WNBA as the all-time best scorer in college basketball.
But teenage phenom Juju Watkins is already hot on her heels and outpacing the former Iowa guard.
