State Farm releases new Caitlin Clark commercial for NCAA Tournament
Caitlin Clark became the first college and female athlete to join State Farm in October as an ambassador.
Ahead of the Iowa star and reigning National Player of the Year tipping off the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon, the insurance group has released a national TV commercial honoring Clark’s achievements. Called “Covering Greatness,” the 30-second spot debuted on Friday night and will air throughout the remainder of March Madness.
Voiced over by Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie and set to the song “Unstoppable” by Sia, the ad features a montage of Clark highlights, including her 3-pointer from the logo to break Kelsey Plum’s NCAA women’s scoring record.
As part of her agreement with State Farm, she has appeared in commercials, social media advertisements and events repping the company. State Farm helped put together the surprise visit from Maya Moore and commissioned a custom-made jacket from designer Kristin Juszczyk for Clark’s Senior Day.
Earlier this week, Peyton Manning Omaha Productions announced plans to release a new docuseries, “Full Court Press.” The documentary features Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso and UCLA guard Kiki Rice. The four-episode docuseries will premiere on May 11 and May 12 on ABC before being released on ESPN+. State Farm has signed on as the title sponsor.
Caitlin Clark approaching March Madness ‘businesslike’
The Hawkeyes enter March Madness as the No. 1 seed in the Albany 2 Region, set to open tourney play Saturday afternoon in Iowa City against No. 16 seed Holy Cross. There is no questioning what Clark can accomplish on the court. She’s leading the nation with 31.9 points and 8.9 assists per game. ESPN women’s basketball analyst and former WNBA All-Star Rebecca Lobo declared earlier this month that Clark is the “best offensive player I’ve seen in my 35 years playing and covering the women’s college game.”
For the Big Ten tournament champions to replicate a run back to the Final Four like a year ago, Clark has been adamant that it will take the entire Iowa team. If the Hawkeyes advance to the second round, they’ll play the winner of Princeton-West Virginia.
According to ESPN Analytics’ NCAA tournament forecast model, which is based on the women’s Basketball Power Index (BPI) ratings, Iowa came out of Selection Sunday with a 32.9% Final Four probability.
“I feel like we’re approaching it like this is very businesslike,” Clark said this week. “We are here to win, get back to the Final Four. I feel like if you approach it in a way of this is the end, this is our last time playing on our home court, this is our last time hosting, you could get too caught up in the emotions of it.
“And sure, you’re going to feel the emotions at some point. That’s just going — it’s going to go. I think just approaching it in a businesslike manner and going 1-0 every single day is always what Coach Bluder says.”
WNBA move opens ‘more endorsement opportunities’
Clark recently brought Excel Sports on for representation. Working with Alan Zucker, Colleen Garrity and Erin Kane. She has endorsement deals with State Farm, Nike and Gatorade among others.
The Iowa star has the top-ranked women’s basketball On3 NIL Valuation at $3.1 million. The valuation trails just Bronny James, Shedeur Sanders and Livvy Dunne. Already the face of college basketball, she can check off being the face of a professional league at the next level. Her valuation jumped $2.2 million on the heels of her WNBA draft declaration.
“So often, we talk about Roster Value being the driving force of NIL Valuation. But with Caitlan Clark it’s the exact opposite,” On3 founder and CEO Shannon Terry said. “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.”