Caitlin Clark effect pushing WNBA to look at global audience with possible overseas Fever game

The heat is yet to settle down on the controversy created since Time Magazine announced that Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark was their Athlete of the Year. Even then, it did not stop conversations around the WNBA superstar on her impact for women’s basketball.

That impact was undermined by Washington Mystics owner Sheila Johnson as she felt the entire WNBA was responsible for the massive rise in popularity. That discourse brought out some harsh comments from fans, analysts and even some players.

Many felt the billionaire undermined the league by not accepting what the reality is. That of the 22-year-old bringing in millions of new fans to women’s sports, which has helped the WNBA grow at a faster pace than any other brand in the country.

That notion received another boost when Sports Business Journal announced that Caitlin Clark was their 2024 Best Sports Business Athlete. This was crucially based on the business the Iowa native generated for the league. In the article they highlighted how the league is feeding off it.

When she played in an Annika Sorenstam golf pro-am in November, she attracted Arnold Palmer-type galleries and signed autographs on hats, T-shirts and bare skin. The WNBA is not oblivious and, according to sources, eventually will schedule a Fever game overseas to capitalize on her Q rating.

Sports Business Journal on Caitlin Clark

The media house also revealed that as per their sources, the WNBA has plans to market the Indiana Fever as ‘America’s Team’. That is similar to how the NFL markets the Dallas Cowboys, which made them the poster franchise for the league. If they follow this plan, it could open the doors to millions of new fans globally.

Basketball Caitlin Clark ready to take more hits next season

With more non-basketball events on her off-season schedule Caitlin Clark will not be playing at all. She even snubbed the upstart Unrivaled League citing the need to rest and stay out of the spotlight. However, she has not stopped working on her game this offseason.

A clip was posted on the social pages of the Indiana Fever where it showed their WNBA Rookie of the Year working out with new head coach Stephanie White and her coaching staff. The clip showed her working on some new shots and motions while also showing that the All-WNBA guard had gained weight.

When compared to her first season in the league, she seemed bulkier. Clark’s peers subjected her to quite a few physical plays. Either that could have driven her to add bulk to withstand those hits, or it is simply because she is getting older. Either way, the Fever will have a stronger Caitlin Clark helming their offense.