Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark received the good news of her team’s No. 1 seed status for March Madness added on to the fact that the Hawkeyes will play their first two games at home, at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena.The $3.1 million NIL-valued Clark (as per On3) in collaboration with NIL partner Gatorade had a hand in designing a Gx towel and Gx bottle featuring her favorite pink and blue colors.
Also heavily featured were the No. 22 from her birthday on Jan. 22 and her jersey number.
With the merchandise going for $45, and the sale going live on Tuesday, fans of the popular Clark rushed to the Gatorade website, and in a few minutes, it had crashed with fans complaining that they could not get access.
Complaints from frustrated fans on X steadily poured in.
Caitlin Clark considers charity angle in NIL deals
Caitlin Clark and UConn’s Paige Bueckers are the only college student-athletes signed by Gatorade, which has an international footprint, but Clark said that she agreed to the partnership for one overriding reason.
When the popular Clark signed a NIL deal with the company, Gatorade donated $22,000 to the Caitlin Clark Foundation.
She highlighted that act as one of the factors that drew her to the partnership.
“This partnership is special because not only does Gatorade fuel the best athletes in the game, but they’re also committed to leading by example and giving back, which is what I strive to do every day,” Caitlin Clark said in a statement.
“I’m honored to join such an iconic brand that has some of the most elite athletes in sport on their roster and can’t wait for what’s ahead.”
Gatorade further showed its commitment to helping aid the record-breaking Clark’s charity endeavors by announcing two separate donations of $25,000 to both her foundation and the Women’s Sports Foundation.
Clark explained the purpose behind the collaboration and tied it into the theme she espouses of community service.
“This has been a year of dreams coming true for me on and off the court, and working with Gatorade to elevate women’s basketball is just one more example of that,” Caitlin Clark said in a release.
“This collab is all about inspiring young girls to chase their dreams. I always dream big, and now I want to show them: You can, too.”
With March Madness attracting eyeballs due to the mystique of Caitlin Clark, Gatorade is partnered with the face of the women’s game to collaborate with at the right time of the year.
CAITLIN CLARK’S BOYFRIEND, CONNOR MCCAFFREY, COMES FROM A FAMILY OF BASKETBALL STARS
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University of Iowa star basketball player Caitlin Clark is poised to break an NCAA scoring record. The 22-year-old is expected to beat Kelsey Plum’s record of 3,527 career points during her Thursday night game against the Michigan Wolverines—and she just needs seven points to make it happen.
“I’m not anxious about it really at all. I’m just very excited. It’s going to be a special night,” Caitlin said at the Hawkeyes’ weekly news conference, per CNN. “I understand the magnitude of this. I think it’s just kind of come along with how my four years have gone. It’s crazy looking back at how fast everything’s gone. I’m just really thankful and grateful.”
With all that Caitlin has achieved, it’s easy to forget that she’s a college student with a personal life off the court. She’s currently dating former University of Iowa athlete Connor McCaffrey, but who is Connor and what’s he doing now? Here’s everything you need to know about Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend:
Connor comes from a family of basketball stars.
The basketball doesn’t fall too far from the hoop! Connor is the son of Fran McCaffery, currently the men’s basketball head coach at the University of Iowa. He actually played six seasons for his father, according to ESPN. His mom, Margaret, was also a star basketball player for the University of Notre Dame, according to The New York Times. Connor’s brother Patrick McCaffery is a star player for Iowa, too.
He’s a Hawkeye, like Caitlin.
Connor graduated from the University of Iowa last year. While he was there, he played basketball and baseball.
Caitlin and Connor hard-launched their relationship in 2023.
Caitlin and Connor became Instagram official in August 2023 when Caitlin shared a series of snaps of the two of them cuddling on a boat.
He currently works for the NBA.
Connor joined the staff of the Indiana Pacers last year as a team assistant, according to the Des Moines Register. He helps with scouting, assists with film study, and attends to other coaching needs.
“It’s a way in. It’s an entry-level job,” he told the paper. “You’ve got to work hard and work your way up. That’s obviously what I want to do.”
Connor also said that he’s “really excited” about his role. “I want to get away and try to learn from someone else, somewhere else,” he told the publication. “I’ve always been under my dad’s shadow and tutelage. Now, learning from someone like coach [Rick] Carlisle… and the assistants they have there, they’re all good basketball minds… I’m just going to try to take everything in.”
Connor is supportive of his girlfriend’s basketball career.
In an Instagram post celebrating Caitlin’s 22nd birthday, Connor said that this will be her “best year yet.” He added in the caption, “With all that you’ve already accomplished, there is so much more in store for you and your special self. I admire you in every way and I love you .” His brother, Patrick, hilariously wrote in the comments, “The glazing here is crazy.”