Caitlin Clark made her long-awaited return to Iowa City in dramatic fashion — not in a college jersey, but as a pro — leading the Indiana Fever to a thrilling preseason win. The sold-out crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena roared with every touch, every shot, every flash of the magic that made Clark a legend in Iowa. But while fans erupted in celebration, one major player stayed silent: Nike.

Despite being Clark’s official sponsor — and having signed her to a rumored $28 million endorsement deal — the iconic sports brand made no major public statement, social media post, or special tribute to mark her homecoming. No commemorative gear. No courtside presence. Nothing.

And Caitlin Clark fans noticed.

Within minutes of the Fever’s 83-80 win over the Dallas Wings, social media lit up not only with praise for Clark’s performance, but also criticism directed squarely at Nike.

“Where’s Nike?” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). “You throw millions at Caitlin but can’t even acknowledge the biggest moment of her preseason?”
Another wrote: “Fans showed up. Iowa showed up. Caitlin showed up. Nike didn’t. Embarrassing.”

The backlash grew louder by the hour, with the hashtag #NikeDisrespect trending briefly in several states. Some fans even called for a boycott of Nike women’s basketball merchandise, arguing the brand failed to support the very athlete who is arguably responsible for the biggest surge in women’s basketball viewership in recent years.

It’s especially notable given Nike’s history of grand gestures for its stars — from LeBron’s homecomings to Serena’s retirement tributes. For Caitlin Clark, one of the most influential names in the game right now, the silence struck a nerve.

Clark, for her part, stayed focused on the court. She dropped 21 points, dished out 7 assists, and reminded everyone why she was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. After the game, she thanked Iowa fans for the “unreal” welcome, saying,

“This place will always be home. It means the world to be back.”

But as Clark’s star continues to rise, fans are demanding that the brands attached to her rise to the moment too — especially when it matters most.

As of now, Nike has made no official statement regarding their absence during the Iowa City return. But with Caitlin Clark’s influence only growing, one thing’s for sure: staying silent won’t be an option for long.