A surprising shoutout has connected the WNBA and the NFL.

Caitlin Clark's name has been all over the sports world this offseason. None other than Patriots QB Drake Maye. So, during a post-playoff interview, Maye gave the WNBA superstar a shoutout that's now making waves across both basketball and football circles.​

Maye didn't hold back his inspiration during the interview. "And then I heard Caitlin Clark was pulling for us in the playoffs, so hopefully catch a touchdown from Caitlin Clark would be cool," he said.

The comment came as Maye was asked about athletes he respects, and Clark's name immediately came to mind alongside tennis legend Serena Williams.​

The Patriots QB was clear when he doubled down on his praise. "I know she's a baller," Maye added. And he's not wrong. Clark just wrapped up a dominant 2025 WNBA season where she averaged 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in 13 games played.

Her court vision and playmaking ability have drawn comparisons to some of the game's all-time greats. 

What makes Maye's comments even more significant is that he mentioned Clark alongside Serena Williams. "I've gotten into tennis a little more, a lot of respect to Serena Williams," Maye said. "She's maybe one of the greatest of all time, the greatest female athletes of all time". 

Having Clark's name in the same conversation as Williams, who is a 23-time Grand Slam champion, speaks volumes about the impact Clark has already made in women's sports.​

Clark's Admiration for Maye Was Already Public

Caitlin Clark's support for Maye was already made public before  Drake Maya made comments on her. The Indiana Fever star spoke about her NFL playoff during a December appearance on the New Heights podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce.

When they were discussing which teams they would be supporting, Clark was clear about where her interest was. "Honestly, I'm a Drake Maye fan," she said. "I think he has been incredible, and I think the Patriots are, I mean… I'll probably be pulling for the Patriots". 

The exchange highlighted a genuine crossover moment between two young stars operating at the top of their respective sports.​

Clark's offseason hasn't been quiet either. She recently appeared in two live segments as a special contributor for NBC's.  And this was an entirely new role for the standout guard.

She spoke on several topics, including her stance on the ongoing CBA negotiations. The network is banking on Clark's massive following to boost viewership for its Sunday Night Basketball relaunch, and she's scheduled to return for another pregame show on March 29.

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Written by

Ishika Ghosh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu