It was a photo that seemed innocuous at first glance. Caitlin Clark, the face of women’s basketball, standing at Lucas Oil Stadium during a football game. Fans commented on her fitness, her “Iowa” look returning, and her relaxed demeanor. But they missed the most important detail in the frame: the man standing next to her.

That man was Alan Zucker, a partner at Excel Sports Management. And his presence signals a seismic shift in the career of the WNBA’s biggest star.

Reports are now circulating that Caitlin Clark has fired her previous agent, Erin Kane, in a move that industry insiders are calling a “complete strategic overhaul.” The decision comes after mounting criticism of Clark’s business portfolio, specifically a Nike deal that, while headline-grabbing, may have left millions of dollars on the table.

The “Slaughtered” Nike Deal

When Caitlin Clark signed her 8-year, $28 million contract with Nike, it was hailed as a historic achievement. But as the dust settled and the numbers were crunched, a different picture emerged.

“That deal was significantly below market value for someone who brought 3.2 million viewers to WNBA games,” says one sports business analyst. “She is the most watched women’s basketball player in history, yet her annual average from Nike is roughly $3.5 million. Compare that to other stars with a fraction of her selling power, and the math doesn’t add up.”

The frustration reportedly stems from missed opportunities. Stephen Curry was vocal about wanting Clark at Under Armour, a brand represented by Excel Sports Management. Curry had a direct pipeline to make a massive deal happen, one that likely would have included equity and a signature line from day one. Instead, Clark’s previous representation steered her toward Nike, a “safe” choice that critics argue failed to capitalize on her unprecedented leverage.

Enter the Heavy Hitters

By switching to Alan Zucker and Excel Sports Management, Clark is leaving the minor leagues of sports business and entering the stratosphere. Zucker doesn’t just negotiate contracts; he builds empires. His client list reads like a roll call of American royalty: Peyton and Eli Manning, Trevor Lawrence, and yes, Taylor Swift.

This isn’t just about getting a better shoe deal. It’s about “legacy building.” Zucker is the architect behind Peyton Manning’s post-retirement dominance, helping him become one of the wealthiest endorsers in history. He manages Taylor Swift’s touring and streaming deals, which have reshaped the music industry.

“This is not a lateral move,” the report states. “This is a transformation. She went from an agent who negotiated a decent Nike deal to an agent who builds billion-dollar brands.”

The Goldman Sachs Factor

There is another layer to this power move that has WNBA executives sweating. In 2023, Goldman Sachs acquired a majority stake in Excel Sports Management for close to $1 billion. This gives Clark access to institutional capital and financial engineering expertise that traditional sports agencies simply cannot match.

We are no longer talking about simple endorsements. We are talking about equity partnerships, media rights integration, and long-term value creation. With the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) set to expire in 2027, Clark is positioning herself to be the most powerful voice in the room.

“Having Alan Zucker as your agent during those negotiations is like bringing a nuclear weapon to a knife fight,” the analyst notes. “He knows how to create leverage. He knows how to walk away.”

Returning to “Iowa Caitlin”

Interestingly, the shift in representation seems to coincide with a physical transformation. Observers have noted that Clark has shed the extra muscle mass she added for her rookie WNBA season, returning to the leaner, more agile frame she had at Iowa.

“The Caitlin Clark that America fell in love with was the Iowa version,” the report argues. “That’s the version that sells. That’s the version that Zucker is going to market.”

Her rookie season, while statistically impressive, saw a dip in her signature deep-range shooting efficiency. By returning to her comfortable playing weight and aligning with a marketing genius who understands her core appeal, Clark is signaling that she is done trying to fit into the WNBA’s mold. She is going to make the league fit hers.

The Future is Expensive

The media missed the story at Lucas Oil Stadium, but the message is now clear. Caitlin Clark is done being the “grateful rookie” making $76,000 a year while generating millions for everyone else. She has hired the team that turned quarterbacks and pop stars into billionaires.

The “Project B” leagues and Unrivaled tournaments of the world should take note, as should the WNBA. Caitlin Clark just leveled up, and the price of doing business with her just went up—way up.