For the first time in 27 years, Nike made its return to the Super Bowl with a powerful commercial featuring elite female athletes. Among them was 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark, whose latest victory came not on the court, but on the biggest advertising stage in American sports. The ad also featured stars like Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, JuJu Watkins, Jordan Chiles, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Aryna Sabalenka, delivering a strong message: “They say you can’t do it—do it anyway.” Set to Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and narrated by rapper Doechii, the commercial encouraged breaking barriers and ignoring the doubters.
WNBA legend Lisa Leslie called it the best Super Bowl commercial of the night. According to Nike’s Chief Marketing Officer, Nicole Hubbard Graham, the campaign was designed to reach a mass audience at a moment when women’s sports are gaining unprecedented traction.
However, as the ad aired, a debate emerged—should Angel Reese have been included? Some fans voiced their disappointment over her absence, but others pointed out the obvious reason: Reese is signed with Reebok, not Nike.
Caitlin Clark shows out in Nike’s first Super Bowl commercial in 27 years pic.twitter.com/DCrjdP7TJq
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) February 10, 2025
Reese, who played a major role in boosting viewership for women’s basketball, has embraced her partnership with Reebok. In October 2024, she signed a multi-year endorsement deal with the brand, which includes a signature shoe set for release in 2026. She is currently the only active WNBA player with a Reebok signature sneaker.
Reebok’s head of basketball, Jide Osifeso, emphasized that the brand is growing alongside Reese, aligning their visions for the future. Reese herself has been vocal about why she chose Reebok over more mainstream brands like Nike or Jordan, stating that she wanted to be a priority rather than following the same path as others.
Despite missing out on Nike’s Super Bowl ad, Reese has been making major moves. In January 2025, McDonald’s partnered with her to launch the “Angel Reese Special,” marking the first national meal collaboration with a female athlete. While some speculated that she might have wanted to be part of the Nike commercial, her fans quickly defended her, emphasizing that she is forging her own legacy.
Reese has expressed excitement about her upcoming Reebok signature shoe, calling it a lifelong dream come true. As she continues to make waves in women’s basketball and beyond, her career path proves that there’s more than one way to reach the top.