Like the rising tide that lifts all boats, Caitlin Clark’s impact on Women’s basketball is unexplainable. But to put it in perspective, Christine Brennan highlighted just how big it actually is.

Playing just 2 W seasons, the 24-year-old Indiana Fever star has quite literally changed the trajectory of the WNBA. And Brennan assured that it isn’t just about the stats or records, but the multitude of aspects Clark made flourish.

“The most consequential team sport female athlete we have ever seen in the world,” Brennan labelled Clark during a recent interview with Keith Murphy. “People standing in line for hours to get into those huge arenas… to watch a woman play basketball. A sentence I never thought I would be able to say.”

The three aspects Brennan addressed were how Clark elevated the game and the generational impact she’s leaving among the young girls. And lastly, the staggering surge of audience she brought into the league.

Brennan, who is the author of ON HER GAME: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports, had men coming to her for a book signing. It was for their granddaughters or daughters who “never watched women play basketball until Caitlin Clark.”

Her presence garnered 4 million more views than the men’s March Madness, recorded a league-high audience, and her absence dropped the viewership by 55%. And Brennan knew this impact isn’t dying anytime soon.

The Caitlin Clark Effect Will Have a Long Run

After sitting out the majority of the last season due to a groin injury, Clark has finally returned to the hardwood with quite a blast. And amidst this chaos of preseason and regular season, Brennan knew where the fans were looking.

“I think it (CC’s impact) can last as long as Caitlin Clark is playing, to be honest,” Brennan said. “Wherever I go, people are lined up to tell me their stories of how much they love Caitlin Clark… So, I don't think those people are disappearing.”

And now that this much-adored and well-adorned star is returning on May 8 to take on the Dallas Wings for the season opener, “People can't wait to see her, and the numbers show it.”

Moving forward, do you agree with Brennan? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Souvik Roy