Angel Reese announcement sparks backlash as | NBA News

Caitlin Clark followers are demanding Nike ‘pull their finger out’ after Angel Reese introduced a multi-year contract extension with Reebok.

The pair are two of essentially the most recognisable faces in US sports activities proper now, with manufacturers understandably determined to accomplice up.

After an spectacular debut season, Reese was handed an extension to her Reebok partnership – a deal that included the promise of a signature shoe.

Commenting on the deal, Reese stated: “I’m extremely excited to let you guys know that we are officially coming out with a Reebok by Angel signature shoe.

“We’ve already kicked off the design course of, and it means the world to me to have Reebok’s full help and confidence with this shoe and total partnership. A signature shoe has all the time been a dream of mine, and I need all of the younger women on the market to do not forget that something is feasible.”

The bespoke shoe is set to be released by Reebok during the 2026 WNBA season, but even though Clark’s current contract with Nike also promises a signature release, fans of the Indiana Fever star are beginning to grow impatient.

That’s because Clark’s £21.5million ($28million) deal with Nike had no time limit on when her shoe was due to come out and so far the release is nowhere to be seen.

And the promise of a timescale on Reese’s release has sparked fury among WNBA fans towards Nike.

@RiderFanRob wrote on X: “How is Angel Reese getting a shoe before Caitlin Clark? I get it Reebok vs Nike, but still they need to fix this asap.”

@steve_sherwood commented: “Nike’s utter failure to capitalize on Caitlin Clark’s massive popularity this year is baffling.”

@stillnothawkize added: “The year is 2032. Caitlin Clark has captured her sixth consecutive WNBA mvp and is working on a 5 peat with the Fever. Nike says a shoe prototype will drop in weeks.”

Criticisms are somewhat justified, given Clark-mania reached new levels towards the end of the WNBA season, even though the Fever were dumped out of the playoffs in the opening round.

Clark waltzed her way to the Rookie of the Year award, picking up 66 of the 67 available votes, only missing out on a clean sweep to one singular Reese vote.

Women’s basketball is riding the crest of the wave right now – something Clark has recognised.

Speaking at a Nike event, Clark recently said: “I really feel like we’re simply scratching the floor on what the W[NBA] and ladies’s basketball may be.”