Caitlin Clark’s rise to stardom has continued during her rookie season in the WNBA, and one prominent sports media voice says that the entire league is benefitting from her star power – whether they want to admit it or not.
During Wednesday’s episode of “The Herd” on Fox Sports 1, Colin Cowherd gave his thoughts on Clark and what she’s been able to do for the WNBA during her rookie season.
“Caitlin Clark to some degree is saving the WNBA,” Cowherd said, explaining that the league was not in a profitable state before her arrival, and that she has the chance to help with her popularity.
“It is an incredibly harsh truth. This league was in some trouble. They weren’t making money, they were downsizing and arenas nobody’s watching the finals. And, it has been totally subsidized. Not sort of, kind of remotely. Totally subsidized by the NBA,” Cowherd added.
The FOX Sports personality said that he understood the challenges that the league has faced in its less than 30 years of existence, but he said that Clark has the potential to alleviate some of those legacy issues.
“This is the Caitlin Clark effect. She may not be good enough to be on the Olympic team, but she is easily the greatest player without even playing half a season. She is the greatest player for business in the history of the league. And it’s not close,” Cowherd noted.
The numbers support his claims, as the Fever have been responsible for an uptick in ticket sales and better television ratings this season.
Clark has been a controversial and divisive figure – through no real fault of her own – this season, but he’s bringing everyone together to see what happens next.
For the WNBA, that’s the most important thing she can do.
