Fact check: Did Caitlin Clark get $50 million endorsement contract from Red Bull

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, there is extremely limited credible evidence to support the claim that Caitlin Clark received a $50 million endorsement contract from Red Bull. Only one source ^[1] mentions this alleged deal, claiming it was "brokered by Larry Bird" and would be "the biggest endorsement in women's sports history." However, this appears to be from a YouTube video with no publication date or verification.

Multiple credible sports sources contradict this claim. Yahoo Sports ^[2] discusses Clark's various endorsement deals but makes no mention of Red Bull or a $50 million contract. Similarly, Sportico ^[3] and ESPN ^[4] detail her endorsement portfolio without referencing any Red Bull partnership. Forbes ^[5] specifically notes that her Nike deal is reportedly worth up to $28 million over eight years, which would be significantly less than the alleged Red Bull amount.

The documented endorsement deals include partnerships with Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, and Wilson ^{[3] [5]}, with Wilson involving a "signature basketball collection" ^[4]. These established partnerships suggest her endorsement portfolio is already substantial without the need for an unverified Red Bull deal.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about Clark's actual verified endorsement deals and their values. Her confirmed partnerships represent a significant portfolio in women's sports, with the Nike deal alone being substantial ^[5]. The question also fails to acknowledge that Caitlin Clark's total 2024 earnings far exceed her WNBA salary, with endorsements making up the vast majority of her income ^[3].

Red Bull, as an energy drink company, would benefit enormously from association with Clark, given her massive popularity and influence in women's basketball. Such a partnership would provide them access to her substantial fanbase and enhance their brand presence in women's sports. However, established sports media outlets and endorsement tracking services would also benefit from accurately reporting such deals, as major endorsement announcements drive significant web traffic and readership.

The missing context includes the competitive landscape of women's sports endorsements and how a $50 million deal would compare to other major contracts in the space, which would help readers understand the magnitude and likelihood of such a claim.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears to treat an unverified claim as potentially factual without acknowledging the lack of credible reporting from established sports media. The only source supporting this claim ^[1] appears to be a YouTube video with sensationalized language, which raises significant red flags about reliability.

The framing suggests confirmation bias, as it asks "did" rather than "is there evidence that," implying the deal may have already occurred. This type of framing can spread misinformation by legitimizing unverified claims through repetition.

Multiple established sports journalism sources that regularly cover endorsement deals and Clark's career make no mention of this alleged Red Bull partnership ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}. Given that a $50 million endorsement would be groundbreaking news in women's sports, the absence of coverage from credible outlets strongly suggests the claim is false or greatly exaggerated.

The potential misinformation here serves to inflate expectations around women's sports endorsement values while potentially misleading fans about Clark's actual business partnerships and earnings structure.