Sports merch shops in the Des Moines metro already receiving calls for Caitlin Clark Fever gear
The popularity surrounding former Hawkeye basketball star Caitlin Clark continues to grow as she's set to play for the WNBA's Indiana Fever.
Fans are already searching for Indiana gear showcasing Clark's name and number.
According to Fanatics, a licensed sportswear manufacturer, Clark's jersey is the top-earning jersey ever for a draft pick. If you go on the Fanatics website, shipping dates for jerseys have been pushed to late July through mid-August.
Local sports merchandise shops are also seeing a new demand, following a successful season-plus desire from fans for all things Caitlin Clark and Hawkeye Women's basketball.
"The calls, the people coming in... I feel like everyone coming in asks about her and asks about jerseys," said Lilah Yates, who is a keyholder at in West Des Moines.
The Black and Gold Shop focuses on all things Hawkeyes sports. While they don't have the jersey, just one day after the WNBA draft, Yates says shirts arrived with the words "The Clark Effect" and the Indiana Fever logo on the front.
"In my year time of being here, this is the first time we've sold anything really besides the Hawkeyes," said Yates.
Yates tells vlog she's used to the calls about Hawkeye gear when it comes to Clark, especially during this season. According to Yates, the many records Clark broke throughout the season brought in new merchandise – and fans quickly bought it all.
"We sold out of her 'you break it, you own it' shirt in just a few days' time," said Yates.
The same was experienced by the team off Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines. Kinsey Lehrkamp is the store manager and says they're already seeing the impact of Clark and the Fever.
"Her product hit our websites as soon as she was drafted to the Indiana Fever," said Lehrkamp. "It's probably going to be sold out before it hits our store, which is crazy."
While it's crazy, Lehrkamp says it's not shocking. "The Clark Effect" is something she and senior team sales lead, Maddie Otto, have seen for the last year.
"We've shopped out to almost every single state," said Otto. "It's just insane how no matter who you root for – and even like when it comes to Iowa State fans – they're all Caitlin Clark fans."
Rally House is the go-to spot for selling gear featuring local Iowa teams. Throughout the season, Lehrkamp says Clark and Hawkeye women's basketball merchandise has been in high demand, which is why it's upfront of the overall Hawkeye section in the store.
With Clark now cementing her spot with the Indiana Fever, they expect the same to be said for the WNBA merchandise.
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