- Unfettered efforts of a 22-year-old propel women's basketball into prominent public sphere
Picture a solitary female footballer becoming the star attraction for her team's matches, causing stadiums to sell out and drawing in more television viewers than the men's teams. In just four months, she's breaking records, earning millions, and turning heads in the Bundesliga, much like what's happening with Caitlin Clark in the U.S. women's basketball league, the WNBA. Known for her impressive skills, bold comments, and confident play, she's a divisive figure – loved by some, loathed by others.
Prior to her debut in the WNBA in May, Clark was already a household name. Highlights of her impressive performances, incredible three-point shots, and bold statements had been making waves on social media during her college games, boosting attendance.
The Caitlin Clark Phenomenon
While women's basketball had been popular in the U.S., particularly in college, Clark was the first to bring sell-out crowds to her team, the Iowa Hawkeyes. Tickets to her games were even being traded illegally on the black market. Her last college game, against the South Carolina Gamecocks, was watched by a record 18.9 million viewers in April – more than the popular men's college final. The media has coined this the "Caitlin Clark Phenomenon."
However, the exact cause of this phenomenon is up for debate. Clark is undeniably a talented basketball player, capable of making precise passes, retrieving the ball, and scoring from long range. She even broke the record for most three-pointers in a single season in college, a feat achieved by NBA superstars like Steph Curry.
Clark's Unique Appeal
But there's more to it than just her skills. As one of the few white, heterosexual women in the WNBA, which is predominantly made up of black women with a high percentage of lesbians, Clark attracts a different audience. Sports journalist Clay Travis explains, "I think the majority of the new audience comes from well-educated, white families with daughters. She looks and acts like what these families would want for their daughters."
But not everyone is thrilled about Clark's success. Some players reportedly see her as a rival, with harsh fouls against her being discussed as a form of rejection. However, expert Bob Costas argues that this isn't necessarily the case. "Alica Thomas just grabbed Angel Reese by the throat and threw her to the ground," he says. "But nobody's talking about that – because it happened between two black players. There's just not as much of a story to be made from it."
Two Rising Stars – One Supernova
This observation is significant because another rising star, Angel Reese, also has a similar success story. The black woman led her college team to victories last season and is now one of the WNBA's new big hopes. But while Clark's hype is undeniable, Reese's is a fraction of that.
Despite their rookie status, both Clark and Reese have broken records in their first few months in the WNBA. Clark became the first rookie in league history to achieve a triple-double – double-digit figures in three of the five most important game values. This feat has only been achieved 37 times in the WNBA. Reese also set a record by achieving a double-double in 15 consecutive games, the longest streak in league history.
However, fans' preference is clear: while average attendance for Clark's WNBA team, the Indiana Fevers, has nearly quadrupled this season, Reese's new team, Chicago Sky, has seen only a 15% increase in new viewers.
Financially, Clark clearly stands out. She secured endorsement deals with Nike and State Farm during college, potentially earning up to $10 million a year. This made her the highest-paid player in the WNBA on her first day, with a salary of just $75,000 – most players earn small endorsement deals even after years of service.
But LeBron James warns against envy. "Don't twist that," he said in his podcast "Mind the Game." "Caitlin Clark is the reason why great things are happening in the WNBA right now," he said, highlighting the positive impact of the sudden massive interest in the long-forgotten league. With increased interest, the league becomes more attractive to advertisers, which should also benefit other teams.
For Clark herself, James has some advice: "She shouldn't get caught up in it and just have fun," he said. "I've been down that same path. I hope she crushes it."
The United States women's basketball league, the WNBA, has seen a significant surge in popularity, largely due to Caitlin Clark's impressive performances. Her record-breaking debut in the league has attracted a wider audience, including well-educated, white families with daughters.
Caitlin Clark's success in the WNBA and its impact on the league's popularity has not gone unnoticed in the United States of America. LeBron James, a popular NBA player, has expressed his support for Clark and highlighted the positive impact of her success on the WNBA.
