Iowa star Caitlin Clark inks multi-year NIL deal with Gainbridge
Caitlin Clark is back to making waves in the NIL space.
Days after becoming the NCAA’s all-time scorer, the Iowa star inked a multi-year endorsement deal with the Indiana-based company Gainbridge. The title sponsor of the Indiana Pacers’ and Fever’s home arena in Indianapolis, Clark joins as a brand ambassador.
Along with the announcement of the newfound partnership, the insurance company is rolling out ParityFlex, a multi-year guaranteed annuity product created for women. Gainbridge joins a growing list of brand deals that includes Nike, State Farm and Gatorade.
The announcement comes less than a week after she declared for the WNBA draft. The Fever hold the No. 1 pick in April’s draft.
“I am honored to be part of the company’s deepening commitment to advancing opportunities for women, on and off the court, like this visionary new product for women,’’ Clark said in a statement. “Women of all ages need to think about their long-term financial goals. The ParityFlex product is designed to allow women to begin building their financial future now.”
Clark joins a Gainbridge roster that includes the Indy 500, the Billie Jean King Cup, the Annika, Andretti Autosport and Rev Racing. Fellow ambassadors include Billie Jean King and Annika Sörenstam. As part of the agreement, the Iowa star’s signature will be included on the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda driven by IndyCar’s Colton Herta and the No. 77 Group 1001 Camaro driven by NASCAR’s Corey LaJoie in their respective races on March 10.
“We are thrilled to partner with a generational talent like Caitlin Clark,’’ said Group 1001 President and CEO Dan Towriss. “We look forward to having Caitlin join Billie Jean and Annika to represent Gainbridge as this new product for women is launched and now available on the Gainbridge platform.”
Caitlin Clark setting standard in NIL
But beyond the on-court stardom, Caitlin Clark has set a standard in NIL. One of the most marketable names in college sports – right next to Livvy Dunne, Angel Reese and Bronny James – has not taken a penny from the Hawkeye-focused NIL collective Iowa Swarm. She also has notable endorsement deals with Hy-Vee, H&R Block, Topps and Buick.
For the majority of her time as a college athlete, the guard opted to be repped by her uncle, Mike Nizzi. Now working with Alan Zucker, Colleen Garrity and Erin Kane at Excel Sports Management, she’s surrounded by a team that will ensure her eventual move to the WNBA goes smoothly – on the court and in business. The agency also reps Tiger Woods, Peyton and Eli Manning.
With 1.4 million social media followers and a $3.1 million On3 NIL Valuation, Clark has the highest-ranked valuation in women’s basketball. Her brand will continue to grow in the WNBA. The valuation is No. 4 in the On3 NIL 100, the first of its kind and defacto NIL ranking of the top 100 high school and college athletes ranked by their On3 NIL Valuation.
“So often, we talk about Roster Value being the driving force of NIL Valuation,” On3 founder and CEO Shannon Terry said. “But with Caitlin Clark it’s the exact opposite. There isn’t a high school or college athlete that has more national brand opportunities than Clark. Moving on to the WNBA is opening so many more endorsement opportunities – and well before her first professional game. She will be the face of the league and her On3 NIL Valuation is skyrocketing.”