TIME Athlete of the Year Caitlin Clark shared her excitement for the future of the WNBA – and women’s sports as a whole – during a conversation with NBC sports producer and anchor Maria Taylor at “A Year in TIME” event in New York on December 11.
Coinciding with the release of TIME’s Person of the Year issue, the event also included a performance by TIME Icon of the Year, Elton John and a conversation with TIME’s CEO of the Year, Lisa Su.
From the end of her senior year of college at the University of Iowa (where she set several NCAA Division 1 records), to her first season with the Indiana Fever as a freshman. WNBA year, Clark admitted it’s been a whirlwind year for her, especially at just 22 years old.
Although she admitted that it was sometimes “hard to understand” in the spotlight, Clark shared that she takes the responsibility of being a performer and role model for young people very seriously, and she thinks that kind of Attention will become more normal. for female athletes in general.
“It’s special to see these young girls and boys who bring signs or are with their mom or dad…It’s a memory they’re going to share forever,” Clark said. “I remember my first WNBA game, one of the best memories of my childhood, very influential on wanting to become a professional basketball player, wanting to be a great person…so I just try to embody that each day.”
Taylor, who has covered the WNBA for many years, asked Clark where she sees the WNBA heading after its launch. popularity boom over the past year – a boom that was certainly due at least in part to Clark’s performances which captivated the public. Clark said it’s impossible to predict the kind of growth possible for the sport, pointing to the surprisingly rapid rise of her own career as well as the giant strides the WNBA has made in just a few years.
“I feel like we’re just scratching the surface,” she said. “If you would have told people this is where the WNBA is five years ago… people probably wouldn’t have believed you, because they never would have thought it was possible. They never thought people would buy tickets; they never thought we would be playing on ABC, or on ESPN. They never thought there could be sold out arenas or little kids wanting to wear WNBA jerseys.
The smartest thing to do now, Clark says, is to invest in women’s sports, because “the price is only going up.” It’s something she’s hinted she herself hopes to take an even bigger part in eventually.
“I love basketball,” she said, “and I hope that once I’m done with basketball, I can still find things that I’m really passionate about that I can do; I hope to one day own a sports team.
Clark also responded to comments received since the publication of the Athlete of the Year articlewhich Taylor said was overwhelmingly positive, but included negative comments from people like conservative media commentator Megyn Kelly who accused Clark of “apologize for being white.”
Clark said she believes she “deserved everything that happened to her,” but she is just as quick to recognize the Black women who came before her in the WNBA, including her favorite player Maya Moore.
“There have been so many amazing Black women who have participated in this league, and it’s very important to continue to uplift them,” she said, “and that’s something I’m very conscious of.”
Regarding criticism from those like Kelly, she added: “I think my best skill is just blocking out the noise, and I hope it continues to be that, because with the way things are going and where it’s going the WNBA, you want that attention. and you accept it, and that’s what makes it so fun.
On and off the field, Clark seems aware of her impact, but admits that at her young age, she is still “figuring out life.” And after playing 82 games in 2024, she’s trying to take advantage of the rest she’s been given before getting back on track for another season.
“I’m very lucky and grateful, but I feel like I can continue to improve.”
A Year in TIME was presented by American Family Insurance, Absolut, Land O’Lakes and Nike.
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