Stephen Curry’s reported frustration over Caitlin Clark’s $16M Under Armour offer comes back into focus with her recent Nike shoe launch

Stephen Curry’s reported frustration with Under Armour over Caitlin Clark’s failed recruitment is back in focus again. Clark’s first Nike signature shoe, the Caitlin 1, launches in the US on Thursday, nearly two years after Nike beat competing offers to secure her.Under Armour reportedly offered Clark $16 million over four years. Nike agreed to an eight-year deal worth a reported $28 million, giving Clark the signature shoe that now reaches stores. Stephen Curry and Under Armour wanted Caitlin Clark before Nike landed herClark became one of the biggest names in basketball before entering the WNBA, and Under Armour reportedly wanted her inside Curry Brand. Bloomberg reported on Nov. 24, 2025, that Curry and Under Armour pursued Clark, but the company’s offer trailed Nike’s proposal. People familiar with the situation told Bloomberg that the failed pursuit became one “sore point” for Curry.The report came shortly after Curry and Under Armour ended their partnership on Nov. 13, 2025. Their relationship began in 2013, and Curry launched Curry Brand with Under Armour in 2020.Bloomberg also reported that Curry and his advisers had grown frustrated with what they viewed as underinvestment in the brand. Under Armour, however, pushed back on the idea that Clark played a role in the split.An Under Armour spokesperson told Complex that the claim was “unfortunate and untrue,” adding that both sides rejected the premise that Clark contributed to the separation.Curry kept his own public statement focused on what Under Armour had built with him. In the Nov. 13, 2025 announcement about the separation, Curry said, “Under Armour believed in me early in my career and gave me the space to build something much bigger and more impactful than a shoe. I’ll always be grateful for that.”He added, “What Curry Brand stands for, what I stand for and my commitment to that mission will never change. It’s only growing stronger. I’m excited for a future that’s focused on aggressive growth with a continued commitment to keep showing up for the next generation.” Caitlin Clark now has the Nike signature shoe Under Armour tried to secureClark’s Nike deal has now moved from a contract on paper to a product fans can buy.Recently, Nike released the Caitlin 1 globally at $140 in North America. The first release includes the “Caitlin Blue” and “Warning Code Yellow” colorways. Nike also launches an 18-piece apparel collection alongside the shoe.Clark discussed the milestone with The Associated Press in Germany in September 2026.“I’m just super excited,” Clark told AP. “I look down at my feet and I’m, man, I’m wearing my shoes. There’s not many people that get a Nike signature shoe.”She also explained how distant the achievement once felt. “I don’t even think that’s something I dreamed about as a kid, because it felt so far away from something that I could ever achieve. I was always a kid that wanted the coolest shoes and I’m so excited,” Clark told AP.The Caitlin 1 also reflects Clark’s input. Nike says she challenged its designers to improve her first step, step-back separation and shot release. The shoe uses Nike Opticast, a forefoot Air Zoom Turbo unit and full-length Cushlon foam.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.