Caitlin Clark's Nike Kobe 5 Protro sneakers, inspired by the Indiana Fever's colors, sold out within minutes of their release, according to the company's website.
The shoes, priced at $190, feature an upper in Midnight Navy with Bright Crimson and University Gold accents, reflecting the colors of Clark's team.
Nike released the shoe around 10 AM Eastern on Monday, but within minutes, social media posts revealed that its availability had disappeared.
"Missed 'em," a screenshot of the sneaker's page reads, according to the Clark Report. "Thank you for joining the draw for the Kobe V Protro. Unfortunately, it didn't work out this time."
Rumor has it that the initial launch involved somewhere between 9,000 and 13,000 pairs of the sneakers.
The rapid sell-out of the Caitlin Clark/Kobe sneakers sparked a frenzy, with some buyers reselling the sneakers on eBay for as much as $400.
"When Caitlin Clark laces up her Kobe 5s, she enters a new dimension," Nike's description of the sneakers reads. "She's put her prowess on display wearing an array of coveted Kobe models — now she has her own player edition."
Basketball fans noted that the shoe sellout is a sign of Clark's popularity.
"She is the face of the WNBA, whether the other players choose to accept it or not," one fan wrote of the new WNBA All-Star captain .
"Faster than a blink of an eye," another remarked at the quick sellout.
A fan added , "Predictable! Caitlin Clark is G O A T."
Would any other player in the league right now see a shoe with their name attached to it sell out this quickly? Granted, this is more a Kobe sneaker than a Caitlin sneaker.
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Following news of the rapid sell-off, fans must be left wondering when Caitlin Clark's signature sneaker will be released.
No specific release date has been announced, but speculation suggests a potential launch in 2026 or 2027, based on typical timelines for the development of signature shoes. It seems an unwise marketing decision to not capitalize on the game's biggest star until … 2027?
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson, a two-time WNBA champion and three-time league MVP, recently had Nike release her signature shoe . The Aces star's A'One line of sneakers is readily available online.
YouTuber Mick Talks Hoops claims Nike is in no hurry to produce the Caitlin Clark sneaker because they had to get to other WNBA stars, like Wilson, first.
"Nike have completely messed it up as well with their marketing. The people in Nike have said, basically, she (Clark) is not getting her signature shoe any time soon," he said. "Basically because they need to give A'ja Wilson her shoe first."
"They'll release a Paige Bueckers shoe. Bueckers is getting her shoe. They did not do the same for Caitlin Clark."
Those shoes won't sell a fraction of ones with Clark's name, logo, or silhouette on them.
Caitlin Clark's star power transcends the basketball court. She is inspiring a whole new generation of female athletes. And yet, nobody seems to be truly capitalizing on that fact.
Also Read:: Why WNBA All-Star Voting Numbers Prove Caitlin Clark is the Face of the League
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