"Pandered to the delusions of black women": Jason Whitlock torches $91,110,000,000 brand for ignoring Caitlin Clark for A'ja Wilson

Last week, the release of A'ja Wilson’s Nike A’One highlighted the lack of a signature shoe for Caitlin Clark. While Wilson is a three-time and reigning unanimous MVP, Clark drove the WNBA to record-breaking attendance and viewership ratings. Many have pressured the brand to capitalize on fans’ demands for more Clark goods and apparel.

Jason Whitlock jumped in on the controversy and tossed in his thoughts about Wilson having a signature shoe while Clark is still waiting for one:

“Nike is doubling down on A'ja Wilson when their back is against the wall, their sales are down, their stock has plummeted. Instead of leaning into the most popular women’s basketball player in the history of America in Caitlin Clark … their DEI hires pandered to the delusions of black women.”

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According to Whitlock, the prevailing narrative is that racism has forced fans to wait for an A'ja Wilson shoe to come out, calling such talks “insanity.” The veteran analyst blasted Wilson fans, who allegedly want to put her on the same pedestal as LeBron James or Michael Jordan.

The Fearless host ripped Nike, valued at $91.11 billion by Forbes, for failing to market Caitlin Clark, whom he called a “gift” to basketball. Whitlock criticized the brand for prioritizing Wilson over “the most popular women’s basketball player” in American history.

Nike CEO Elliott Hill told Fortune in January that Clark’s sneakers are still in the development stage. Hill didn't give a date, but they will reportedly come out in 2026, which would be two years after Clark entered the WNBA.

Nike puts Caitlin Clark in the backseat during release of A'ja Wilson’s A’Ones

Nike Basketball, on X (formerly Twitter), gave the limelight to A'ja Wilson during the release of her A’Ones on May 6. Promotional ads highlighted Wilson and her signature shoe.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark, who returned to Iowa for the Indiana Fever’s preseason game against the Brazil women’s national basketball team, didn't get any tweet. Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, trolled the brand for seemingly ignoring the Fever superstar.

Clark’s popularity continues to dominate the WNBA. As the 2025 season opens in a few days, the demand for her signature shoe won't go away. Nike will likely remain in the hot seat until it drops the highly anticipated Clark sneakers.

About the author

Michael Macasero brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coverage of basketball at Sportskeeda with over 18 years of diverse work experience. This includes stints at Convergys, Interpace and RunRepeat.

Michael's background in English and Journalism has provided him with the analytical skills and precision necessary for creating content, and he is a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics. His favorite players include legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, modern stars like Tim Duncan, and Nikola Jokic, as well as emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Michael respects Gregg Popovich, despite his contentious demeanor in interviews, and recognizes Popovich's genius in adapting his coaching style to maximize the talent on his roster over the years. Michael eagerly anticipates seeing how Popovich will structure the offense around emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Understanding the story and details is crucial to Michael's reporting philosophy and he believes overlooking details, particularly when pressed for time, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate conclusions.

Aside from work, Michael's children are his hobbies, and he also likes to go running, swimming and weightlifting.

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Edited by Bhargav