Caitlin Clark wore a $17,000 Prada outfit to the WNBA draft. That's about 22% of her expected first-year salary.
Caitlin Clark showed up to the WNBA Draft dressed in Prada from head to toe.
According to Business Insider's calculations, Clark's outfit costs $16,875 — or about 22% of her first-year WNBA salary.
More and more luxury brands are investing in sports and athlete partnerships.
Caitlin Clark is going to the WNBA in style, with a little help from Prada.
The 22-year-old was dressed in Prada from head to toe at the WNBA Draft on Monday, where she was selected as the No. 1 pick by Indiana Fever.
Business Insider examined photos of Clark's outfit and Prada product listings to determine what she wore.
According to the photos, her outfit consisted of an embroidered rhinestone mesh crop top ($3,750) under a boxy satin shirt ($5,500), which she paired with a double satin miniskirt ($1,750) and black brushed leather slingback pumps ($1,200).
Clark completed her look with a Prada Galleria patent leather mini bag ($4,100) and a pair of acetate sunglasses ($575).
"I love Prada. I think Prada is very me," Clark told GQ Sports while walking the red carpet prior to the draft. "Prada's never dressed a WNBA player or an NBA player for the draft, so it's very fun."
Stylist Adri Zgirdea Toth told Marie Claire that she coordinated Clark's look.
"Dressing an athlete for the draft is a first for Prada, and this is obviously a first for Caitlin, too. Both are at the forefront of what they do — it's almost too perfect," Toth said.
According to BI's calculations, Clark's Prada outfit totals up to $16,875 — or about 22% of her first-year salary in the WNBA.
As the top pick in the draft, Clark is expected to make $76,535 in her first year, per the WNBA rookie pay scale as compiled by Spotrac. This stands in contrast to the No. 1 pick in the NBA, who will earn at least $10 million, per Spotrac.
At the Iowa Hawkeyes, as the NCAA's all-time leading scorer, Clark's name, image, and likeness valuation were valued at over $3 million, thanks to deals with Nike, Gatorade, and State Farm.
While it remains to be seen if Prada will offer Clark an official endorsement deal, the Italian luxury house has been increasingly investing in sports and athlete partnerships.
During the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Team USA snowboarder Julia Marino competed with a white and red Prada snowboard from its Linea Rossa Ski fall 2021 collection — a campaign that she also modeled for.
Last year, Women's Wear Daily reported that Prada would be the official partner of the Chinese women's national football team, providing them with off-field outfits that comprise a tailored suit with loafers.
And it's not just Prada that's vying for a slice of the sports market pie.
LVMH announced last year that it will be sponsoring the upcoming 2024 Olympic games in Paris as a premium partner, tapping into several brands under the group to support the event.
Chaumet, a jewelry brand, will design the games' medals, while Moët Hennessy wines and spirits will be served as part of the event's hospitality program.
Representatives for Prada, Clark, and Toth did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours.
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