Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA in 2024 drove record viewership, sold-out arenas, and major growth for the league. And according to Lexie Brown, the shift in the league’s culture and image has been impossible to ignore since then.

The Seattle Storm PG/SG said Clark’s arrival boosted the league’s popularity and value, bringing in new fans, increasing respect for players, and helping introduce profit-sharing in 2025.

"She was a rookie that came in, that is super talented, and was number one on everyone's scouting report," Brown said, speaking to FOX News' Jackson Thompson per a post on his X feed on April 1.

Speaking about Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA, Lexie Brown made it clear how much things have changed. She said, "Has it changed how people view the WNBA? Absolutely."

She explained why she believes that shift happened, adding, "I think, unfortunately, our value, the respect that we got has been directly attached to how much money we make. And it's not rocket science to see that since her arrival and the rest of that 2024 class, the WNBA has skyrocketed."

Brown also talked about how the league’s growth has brought in a wave of new fans and changed its overall environment.

"We were such like a niche, small community, tight-knit community for so long, and the WNBA has finally broken into this, like the mainstream sports media space, which is everything that we've asked for maybe we wouldn't have this new CBA, we wouldn't have these new contracts without it," she said.

"So I'm not gonna say, I'm not appreciative... these eyes, these new viewers have changed so many of our lives."

Interestingly, while Brown praised Clark for helping drive that growth, some players feel the added attention also brings more pressure, with constant focus on her on and off the court.

Lexie Hull Reveals the Pressure Behind Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Spotlight

On April 9, Jackson Thompson of Fox News Digital reported on X that Lexie Hull said playing with Caitlin Clark brings more attention to games, which is exciting but also challenging.

Hull explained, “The most challenging part is there’s just so much scrutiny. People have opinions online, and, unfortunately, that’s part of the job and the role that we play."

When asked if she has personally faced online attacks, the 26-year-old responded, “I’m sure I have. I try not to read comments for that reason.”

Drafted by the Indiana Fever in 2022, Lexie Hull had two quiet seasons before things changed in 2024, when Caitlin Clark arrived and brought more attention to the team.

“Because of the fans that we’ve gotten since 2024, with the rise in, I think, popularity with the Indiana Fever being like a name that people know… you’d want to win even more because you feel there’s so many people rooting,” Hull said.

Has Caitlin Clark’s impact made the WNBA better overall, or has the added scrutiny created new challenges for players? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sauramita Debbarma

Edited by

Surjo Ray