Caitlin Clark has joined sports icons Billie Jean King and Annika Sorenstam as a Gainbridge brand ambassador, the financial services company announced. The partnership means Clark-mania might be soon coming to the LPGA.
The Iowa basketball player, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer who is revolutionizing the women’s game, is slated to compete in the pro-am at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican later this season, schedule permitting.
The Annika, the penultimate event on the LPGA’s schedule, is slated for Nov. 14-17 this season at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. World No. 1 Lilia Vu won last year’s edition for her fourth title of the season.
Caitlin Clark can do it all. pic.twitter.com/KYqdwwtJZx
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) July 5, 2023
On Sunday, Clark broke the NCAA scoring record set by Pete Maravich.
The Gainbridge announcement comes in concert with the company’s launch of its new product, ParityFlex, a multi-year guaranteed annuity product created for women, by women.
“I am honored to be part of the company’s deepening commitment to advancing opportunities for women, on and off the court, and to help promote this visionary new product for women,’’ said Clark in a release.
Clark recently announced that she’ll forgo her final season in Iowa to enter the WNBA draft. The Indiana Fever has the first pick, and tickets to watch the franchise next season have already doubled in price, according to VividSeats.
The lowest ticket price available to watch Clark play Ohio State on Sunday was $491, a record for women’s basketball.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark. (Photo: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports)
“It’s an honor to have Caitlin join us on Team Gainbridge,” said King in a release. “She is an amazing talent on the court, but more importantly, she puts her team ahead of herself and is a leader, an agent of change and a champion on and off the court. Thanks to Gainbridge for once again stepping up and showing their commitment to being a leader in women’s sports.”
On March 10, Clark’s signature will be included on the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda driven by Colton Herta on Indycar and the No. 77 Group 1001 Camaro driven by Corey Lajoie on Nascar.
Caitlin Clar and Ludvig Aberg walk to the fifth hole during the pro-am ahead of the 2023 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. (Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Last summer, Clark created a frenzy at the John Deere Classic Pro-Am when she played alongside Zach Johnson and Ludvig Aberg.
“Honestly, I played (golf) when I was a little kid,” said Clark during a John Deere press conference. “Started golfing with my dad, but then I didn’t play much all throughout high school. Then kind of started again in college. I obviously am pretty busy, so I don’t get to golf as much as I would like.”
Clark enjoys teeing it up with her Iowa teammates and, not surprisingly, they like to keep it competitive, usually playing a quick nine or 12 holes. She also attended the 2017 Solheim Cup, won by Team USA, at Des Moines Golf and Country Club.
Perhaps the Gainbridge pro-am will serve as a warm-up to a bigger commitment. The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions celebrity pro-am could use another female participant.
