Caitlin Clark will have her name called at Monday’s WNBA Draft, and the Indiana Fever are expected to select the Iowa star with the No. 1 overall pick.
Many of Clark’s loved ones are expected to be on hand as she realizes a dream she has had since the second grade. Her parents, Brent and Anne, and brothers, Blake and Colin, were in attendance for her March Madness games, so they are expected to be by Clark’s side when her name is called.
There will be another familiar face included in Clark’s entourage as well. Actor Kevin Miles — best known for his role as “Jake from State Farm” — is expected to attend the WNBA Draft as well.
State Farm was one of Clark’s most notable NIL sponsors and appears ready to continue partnering with her at the WNBA level. Here’s what to know about the insurance giant’s presence at the WNBA Draft and its relationship with Clark.
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Who is Jake from State Farm?
For those wondering, the current version of Jake from State Farm is played by actor Kevin Miles. He first appeared in ads for the company in 2020 alongside former State Farm employee Jake Stone, who played “Jake” in the original viral ad, before taking over for him full-time.
Miles has appeared in dozens of commercials as Jake from State Farm. Those appearances have often been accompanied by high-end athletes like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Derrick Henry, Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler and, of course, Caitlin Clark.
Miles also voiced Jake from State Farm in the NBA 2K games and boasts a notable social media presence as part of his role with the company.
Aside from his role as Jake from State Farm, Miles has appeared on episodes of Criminal Minds, iCarly and Pretty Smart while also appearing in the movie Tall Girl 2. He has also appeared in commercials for other companies such as Coors Light, 5 Hour Energy, Henry’s Hard Sparkling Water, T-Mobile, Hyundai, McDonald’s, Pepsi, Taco Bell and Bose, per his IMDB biography.
MORE: What happened to the original Jake from State Farm actor before Kevin Miles took over
Why is Jake from State Farm at the WNBA Draft?
Miles is at the WNBA Draft as Jake from State Farm and will be among the first to congratulate Clark on being selected into the WNBA. This stunt comes as his company looks to further its relationship with Clark as she transitions from college to professional basketball.
State Farm invested in Clark during her college days. They signed her to a lucrative NIL deal and made her one of the faces of the company’s notable, sports-themed commercials ahead of the 2023-24 college basketball season.
The spots were well-received and became increasingly popular as Clark’s national exposure grew throughout the college basketball season. Thus, State Farm is likely hoping to continue to capitalize on Clark’s popularity by having a notable presence at the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Of course, it’s worth noting that State Farm’s support of the WNBA Draft predates Clark’s role as a company spokesperson. The company has sponsored the draft every year since 2013, and it has only increased its presence in recent seasons, as ESPN has more prominently placed women’s basketball events on its broadcast schedule.
But Clark’s presence is likely the driving force behind Miles’ attendance at the WNBA Draft. State Farm has heavily publicized it, with the company posting a video of Miles packing for the draft and placing a billboard in Times Square ahead of the event.
See you soon @CaitlinClark22… ⏰ #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/2Y3ZsewrPQ
— Jake from State Farm (@JakeStateFarm) April 12, 2024
On Draft night, State Farm will celebrate projected No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark by:
Highlighting her accomplishments on a 3D billboard in Times Square.Having Jake from State Farm attend the Draft to be one of the first to congratulate Caitlin.
Providing a BTS recap on IG. pic.twitter.com/BtZI7u0g9r
— Khristina Williams (@Khristina) April 11, 2024
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Caitlin Clark State Farm commercials
Clark has appeared in several notable State Farm commercials. Among them are the following:
Coffee Break
Clark appeared in this ad during the regular season alongside Big Ten sideline reporter Jenny Taft. An overwhelmed barista inadvertently summoned the duo and asks them about insurance advice, prompting Clark to bring Jake from State Farm in to help.
Shoot!
The favorite of many commercial aficionados, a couple sees their car is damaged and the wife yells, “Shoot!”, summoning Clark. She notes there is no hoop at which to shoot before the wife once again says, “shoot,” this time summoning Jimmy Butler, who, like Clark, laments there is no hoop.
Finally, Clark and Butler call on Jake from State Farm to help the couple. He inadvertently summons Reggie Miller by saying “old Pacer” to give the commercial a comical twist ending.
Covering Greatness
State Farm’s most recent Clark spot was a tribute to her legendary career at Iowa. It highlighted her best plays, relationship with her teammates and support from her family during her back-to-back Final Four trips before ending with the phrase, “State Farm is proud to cover greatness.”
Clark will likely continue to have a commercial presence for the company as she continues her professional career. Perhaps they will continue to let her use her comedic chops within them, especially after her stellar showing on “Saturday Night Live” ahead of the draft.