A new Nike billboard featuring Caitlin Clark in Chicago, Angel Reese's home turf, has stirred up the existing rivalry between the two basketball stars. Located just 3½ miles from Wintrust Arena, home of the Chicago Sky and Reese, the billboard's placement has been interpreted by many of Clark's fans as a deliberate provocation.
The rivalry between Clark and Reese dates back to the 2023 NCAA women's basketball championship game, where Reese's LSU Tigers triumphed over Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes. Reese's taunting gesture towards Clark after the victory ignited a firestorm of criticism and online backlash, particularly from Clark's supporters, including notable figures like Dave Portnoy.
Their rivalry continued into the WNBA, marked by several controversial on-court incidents, including a flagrant foul against Clark by Reese. Despite the heated exchanges between fans, both Clark and Reese have maintained a veneer of respect in their public statements about each other.
However, the animosity between their fan bases remains palpable, with accusations of online harassment and even death threats directed at Reese. Reese has spoken out about the racist undertones of some of the attacks she has endured.
The new billboard is part of Nike's broader advertising campaign featuring prominent female athletes, including a Super Bowl commercial. This campaign, while celebrating women in sports, has also drawn criticism for Nike's stance on transgender athletes in women's sports. Clark's lucrative eight-year, $28 million endorsement deal with Nike, which includes a signature shoe, underscores her rising star power and further fuels the dynamic between her and Reese.
