Through Player-Exclusive Deal With $110.30 Billion Co., Paige Bueckers Is Set to Achieve What Even Caitlin Clark Failed

[RandySF]

The No. 4 recruit, Caitlin Clark, made her debut for the Hawkeyes at the perfect time – when the NIL rules changed. By the time she was in her senior year, she was already the top earner in women’s basketball. However, despite all these accomplishments, she failed to achieve what Paige Bueckers did.

On July 31st, Sole Retriever revealed that “Paige Bueckers is getting her own GT Hustle 3.” This means that the senior guard will be the first collegiate basketball player to receive her own player-exclusive edition. Although the deal has been inked, the $120 shoe will drop a month and a half later on September 12th this year.

Well, the deal was inked last year, but the revelation of her own edition came today. “I am blessed and honored to announce my partnership with Nike,” said Bueckers. According to ESPN, Bueckers inked a multiyear commitment with Nike that might extend to her pro career. “Joining the Nike family is a childhood dream come true. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together on and off the court,” said the senior guard.

Bueckers, who turns 23 in October, missed the 2022 season due to an ACL tear. But the 2021 National Player of the Year reaffirmed herself as an elite talent. And now, she’s predicted to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2025 WNBA draft. Currently, the UConn standout averages an impressive 21.9 points with a shooting accuracy of 53% from the field. However, Caitlin Clark is no less when it comes to NIL deals.



https://www.essentiallysports.com/through-player-exclusive-deal-with-one-hundred-ten-billion-co-paige-bueckers-is-set-to-achieve-what-even-caitlin-clark-failed-to/

[LisaM]

1. This is the end of college sports.

The athletes will now be employees of the shoe companies and have no reason to be loyal to their schools or even their coaches (who will earn less then they do). It will be like the NBA, they will become uncoachable. Throw in the transfer portal and they won't even attend class. They'll all be at three different universities in three years. All the schools will do is provide the platform and facilities and exposure the athletes need, but don't look for college sports to be fun any more.

I have hated Nike for many years (due to their sweatshops and their overpriced status symbol shoes), and I boycott them to the extent possible, but even I didn't see Phil Knight changing the face of college sports this way.