Political activist Riley Gaines recently proposed that Indiana Fever players Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham become the next endorsers for the clothing brand American Eagle. She made this suggestion during an episode of her show Gaines for Girls, pointing to the basketball stars’ rising influence as a potential new face for the brand.
Gaines emphasized the strong relationship between the two athletes, remarking,
“Sophie Cunningham has been Caitlin Clark’s biggest cheerleader and defender,”
and credited Clark with elevating the visibility of the WNBA, saying,
“Caitlin Clark is the reason we have been talking about the WNBA. Hate it or love it. It’s true. I don’t believe that Caitlin Clark necessarily wants that title that everyone has been giving to her.”
She further added,
“Maybe Caitlin Clark should do the next American Eagle campaign or Sophie Cunningham.”
American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney Campaign Sparks Controversy
The suggestion to feature Clark and Cunningham comes amid mounting criticism of American Eagle’s recent denim campaign starring actress Sydney Sweeney. Launched on July 23, the campaign’s tagline, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” uses a play on words between jeans and genes. This creative choice has drawn accusations that the advertisement carries racially sensitive undertones, with some critics linking the wordplay to eugenics-era concepts of beauty.
While American Eagle has maintained that the campaign’s intention was simply playful and focused on jeans, responses have been sharply divided across social media and commentary platforms. The backlash has been notable enough to reportedly affect foot traffic, with a 9% drop in store visits from August 3 to 9 compared to the previous year, even as the company’s stock price experienced a 17% increase since the campaign’s debut.
On-Court Tensions: Caitlin Clark’s Confrontation Following Fever Loss
Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark has been involved in a tense moment during a recent game where the Indiana Fever suffered a defeat against the Dallas Wings. The final possession saw Kelsey Mitchell, who scored a team-high 24 points, take the last shot near the Fever bench. As the buzzer sounded, Clark took to the court and clapped in an expressive manner toward referee Amy Bonner, signaling her frustration with the officiating as images captured the encounter.
Video and photos showed Bonner initially stepping away but then returning a pointed gesture toward the Fever bench following Clark’s actions. Earlier in the game, Clark had also been seen restraining head coach Stephanie White, pulling her back from the court to prevent further escalation during another heated interaction with officials.
Clark’s season has been marked by significant absences, having missed 20 games so far, including the All-Star Game where she was slated to serve as the team captain.
Significance of Endorsement Discussions Amid Cultural Backlash
The conversation around Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham’s potential endorsement of American Eagle reflects broader tensions surrounding the brand’s recent marketing choices. Gaines’s call highlights a desire from some voices to shift focus toward influential sports figures who have positively impacted the WNBA’s visibility. Clark’s athletic achievements and visible passion on the court serve as a contrast to the controversy sparked by the brand’s Sydney Sweeney campaign.
Given the mixed reactions to American Eagle’s advertising, this debate may influence the company’s future endorsement strategies as it seeks to navigate cultural sensitivity while maintaining market appeal. If Clark or Cunningham were to become campaign faces, it might realign the brand with athletic role models connecting with a more diverse and engaged audience.