It could be argued that Caitlin Clark is one of the most loved athletes in the world currently. Clark draws in fans with her amazing ability to score points and her show stopping three pointers. Women’s basketball fan numbers have peaked since Clark joined the NCAA, and women’s basketball interest has skyrocketed since she started breaking records.
This year, the women’s NCAA championship drew in more views than the men’s NCAA championship. The men’s championship had 14.8 million views according to USA Today. while the women’s NCAA had 18.7 million views, according to NPR. The women’s semifinals also attracted more viewers than the men’s championship did, specifically the Iowa vs. UConn game. Before this year, women’s basketball has never had more views than the men’s.
Clark was always loved by fans but she really became a fan favorite this year after breaking Kelsey Plum’s record in becoming the leading scorer in women’s NCAA, and after passing Pete Maravich in all-time leading scorer for both men and women’s NCAA.
Before the 2024 WNBA draft, it was announced that the Indiana Fever, who had the first pick of the draft, would have all of their games on live television. That has never happened before in WNBA history. Even though Clark being the first pick of the draft wasn’t official yet, everyone had a good idea that the Iowa point guard would go first.
On Monday April 15, 2024 at 6:30pm, Caitlin Clark was picked by the Indiana Fever as the first overall pick of the 2024 WNBA draft.
It has also been announced that Caitlin Clark has signed an eight-year deal worth up to $28 million with Nike, according to CNN Business. Clark will be making more money from her contract with Nike than she will be making with the WNBA.
“I think she reached her peak of popularity in the NCAA, and I think in the WNBA she will become less popular and someone will overpass her,” said Brekkyn Ayres. However, some fans have a different opinion. “I think that Caitlin Clark will continue to become more and more popular,” Isabella Boyum commented. There is no doubt that Caitlin Clark will continue to be a fan favorite as she plays out her years in the WNBA. Although, her fans who have loved her from the start will always see her as an Iowa Hawkeye.
