The drama between Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson just got more complicated. While both stars appear in Gatorade’s latest commercial celebrating WNBA legends and current players, they didn’t share any screen time together. That’s not an accident.
How Does the New Gatorade Commercial Bridge WNBA Generations?
Gatorade’s “Let Her Cook” campaign connects the WNBA’s past and present through a powerful narrative about sweat, dedication, and progress. The commercial features current stars Clark, Wilson, Paige Bueckers, and Kahleah Copper alongside legends Candace Parker, Lisa Leslie, and Elena Delle Donne.
However, the production choices reveal the underlying tensions in women’s basketball. Only Clark and Wilson actually act in the commercial, while the other players appear through archival game footage. More tellingly, Wilson and Clark never appear in the same frame, a decision that speaks volumes about their relationship.
Gatorade just launched a new commercial featuring WNBA stars A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Kahleah Copper, and Paige Bueckers, alongside legends Candace Parker, Lisa Leslie, and Elena Delle Donne pic.twitter.com/rJaLlDO8Z0
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) July 14, 2025
The timing couldn’t be more significant. Clark leads all fan voting for the 2025 All-Star Game with 1,293,526 votes, while Wilson earned her seventh All-Star selection. Both players will compete in the All-Star Game, but Clark serves as team captain after being on opposing teams in 2024.
Bueckers, the 2025 WNBA Draft’s number one pick, also earned All-Star honors in her rookie season and appears on Napheesa Collier’s team. The Dallas Wings rookie has already made history, becoming the sixth UConn player selected first overall and the first since Breanna Stewart in 2016.
Beyond the commercial, Gatorade plans to release limited “Let Her Cook” bottles on July 19, available exclusively on their official website. This marketing push demonstrates how brands are capitalizing on the WNBA’s growing popularity and the star power of players like Clark and Wilson.
What’s Behind the Caitlin Clark-A’ja Wilson Tension?
The relationship between Clark and Wilson reflects deeper issues about recognition, race, and marketability in women’s basketball. Wilson’s comments following Clark’s historic Nike deal exposed these fault lines.
Clark signed an unprecedented eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike, the largest deal ever for a WNBA player. The agreement includes signature shoes, though fans must wait until 2026 for their release. Wilson responded to this news with pointed commentary about racial dynamics in sports marketing.
“It doesn’t matter what we all do as Black women, we’re still going to be swept underneath the rug,” Wilson said after Clark’s Nike announcement. These words highlighted the frustration many Black WNBA players feel about the attention and financial opportunities flowing to Clark.
The contrast in their Nike partnerships tells the story. Wilson finally received her signature shoe, the Nike A’One, in May 2025, making her the first Black WNBA player since Sheryl Swoopes to achieve this milestone. Despite Wilson’s three MVP awards, two championships, and seven All-Star selections, her signature shoe came years after many believed she deserved the recognition.
Meanwhile, Clark’s rookie season generated unprecedented attention for the WNBA. Her debut drew record television audiences, and the Indiana Fever’s games became must-see television. This popularity translated directly into financial opportunities that previous WNBA stars, including Wilson, never received at the same career stage.
The All-Star voting patterns further illustrate this divide. Clark topped fan voting despite receiving fewer votes from her WNBA peers, suggesting a disconnect between public popularity and professional respect within the league.
How Are Other Players Navigating the Signature Shoe Market?
The signature shoe landscape in women’s basketball is rapidly evolving, with several players securing deals that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. Breanna Stewart partnered with Puma for her signature line, while Sabrina Ionescu has her own Nike collection.
Angel Reese signed with Reebok, and her signature shoes are expected to launch in 2026, the same timeline as Clark’s Nike release. This parallel timing sets up another potential comparison between two of the most marketable young players in the league.
The broader trend reflects the WNBA’s growing commercial appeal. Brands are finally recognizing that women’s basketball players can drive sales and cultural conversations in ways that justify significant investments. However, the uneven distribution of these opportunities continues to create tension within the league.
For Wilson, the A’One represents validation after years of dominance without corresponding commercial recognition. Her journey to a signature shoe took longer than many expected, but the final product celebrates her achievements and provides representation for Black women in basketball.
As the 2025 season progresses, these commercial partnerships will likely influence how players are perceived and marketed. The Gatorade campaign, despite its careful choreography to avoid direct Clark-Wilson interactions, demonstrates how brands are working to celebrate the entire league while navigating its internal dynamics.
The “Let Her Cook” message resonates because it acknowledges the work required to reach elite levels while recognizing that not all players receive equal opportunities to showcase their talents. Whether this campaign helps bridge divides or highlights them further remains to be seen as the All-Star Game approaches.
