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Iowa Star Clark Signs with Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods' Agents

Reigning NCAA Women's Basketball Player of the Year partners with Excel Sports Management to grow NIL business.

Michael Ehrlich

Iowa Star Clark Signs with Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods' Agents
Iowa Star Clark Signs with Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods' Agents /
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Although Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark has taken the college basketball world by storm the past three seasons - the unlimited range, triple doubles and NCAA Tournament run to the National Championship game - her NIL footprint has been somewhat subdued compared to other national names like LSU's Angel Reese and UConn's Paige Bueckers.

That is about to change quickly as the defending Naismith, Wooden and AP Player of the Year winner signed with sports agency powerhouse, Excel Sports Management.

Clark will be represented by the trio of Alan Zucker, Colleen Garrity and Erin Kane at Excel, who boast clients including Peyton and Eli Manning, Tiger Woods, Nikola Jokic and Arike Ogunbowale, among other global icons.

“I’m lucky to just be starting my career at a time when sports are intertwined with business and entertainment more so than ever before,” Clark said in the agency's announcement press release. “Excel has an incredible track record of helping clients extend their profile and impact far beyond the bounds of their sport and pursue different passions while also competing at the highest level."

“Personally, I am looking forward to being part of innovative partnerships, helping to elevate women’s sports and supporting others through the Caitlin Clark Foundation.”

Clark's national marketing portfolio has already grown - ahead of her likely final college season - as she became the first student-athlete to sign with State Farm, joining the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Chris Paul as endorsers.

The expectation across the industry is that with Clark's new agency behind her, the potential top selection in next year's WNBA Draft will be featured in more national campaigns, starting with State Farm. Additionally, the partnerships she signs - like State Farm - will be long-term plays for brands, who hope to establish association with Clark now ahead of her WNBA career.

Previously represented by her uncle, Clark has current partnerships with Nike, Bose and Topps trading cards.

Heading into the season with a top-3 preseason ranking, Clark and Iowa recently set a women's basketball single-game attendance record (55,646 fans) during an outdoor exhibition at the Hawkeyes football stadium against DePaul.

Their first regular season game tips Monday against Fairleigh Dickinson.

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Michael Ehrlich
MICHAEL EHRLICH

Michael Ehrlich is a seasoned sports marketing executive with experience across the global sports brand, athlete representation, media and education sides of the business. The Founder and CEO of Playbook Marketing, Ehrlich consults with brands on all things NIL and athlete partnerships, advises student-athletes on their personal brand building endeavors and is an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the University of Southern California where he teaches a course on athlete communications and marketing. As a writer, his previous bylines include Boardroom, Business of College Sports, DIME Magazine and UPROXX, among others. You can follow him across social media at @MichaelEhrlich and reach out via michael@playbook-marketing.com

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