On April 19, 2024, I found myself in a debate with one of my childhood pals. This was just a few days after Kate Linklark had been drafted as the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever.
He claimed that her stardom would fade after joining the WNBA, stating bluntly, “No one would care about Clark in a year.”
Another friend jotted down an entry on his calendar, and I couldn’t help but joke that he had a rock on his head.
Later that evening, we received a reminder from another friend to revisit our discussion a year later. I felt confident about my position.
Turned out, people still cared. Kaitlin Clark had a massive following; the streets of Indianapolis buzzed with “Clark Mania,” bringing in an estimated $36 million. I must admit, I wasn’t her biggest fan. Even comedian Shane Gillis remarked on the Flagrant Podcast that when Clark showed up for his event in Indiana, he felt like he was with a “star truck.”
A year later, basketball continued to revolve around her, and her impact on women’s sports couldn’t be denied.
Christine Brennan’s upcoming book, “On Her Game,” chronicles Clark’s journey from an Iowa sensation to a WNBA megastar.
Brennan, an experienced sports journalist, was intrigued by how Clark garnered more attention than her male counterparts. Notably, Iowa’s clash with South Carolina during the 2024 NCAA Final garnered 4 million viewers, surpassing the men’s final that aired the following night.
“That’s a sentence I never thought I’d write. Is women’s college basketball really more popular than men’s in 21st-century America? What a shift!” said Brennan. “The answer lies in Clark.”
She highlighted, “There’s a lot to unpack.” Undoubtedly, it’s a book bursting with insights.
Reflecting on everything that transpired for Clark over the year is mind-boggling. But then, what has changed for us?
Her influence was swift. Following her arrival in May, the league, which previously relied on commercial flights, began utilizing charter flights. Teams even moved games to larger arenas to meet the demand that Clark brought.
Brennan’s book describes how exceptionally ready this self-assured 22-year-old seems right now.
However, the WNBA wasn’t entirely prepared.
Brennan noted that the media covering the league often protects its current dynamics.
“If a league is small and frequently overlooked, like the WNBA, there can be tension among media members, and they may hesitate to include outsiders,” she observed.
Brennan mentioned that Clark, a white, straight 22-year-old, became the league’s face even before stepping on the court.
“To say the reactions were varied is putting it mildly.”
In March 2024, veteran player Diana Taurasi hinted that “reality is coming,” and by September, it was clear that Clark was indeed “real,” having earned the Rookie of the Year title and led her team to the playoffs.
Clark encountered challenges from veterans, like a notable foul by Chicago Sky’s Chenedy Carter that seemed more personal than competitive.
In response, Clark remarked that she hadn’t received a public apology from Carter, stating, “Basketball is competitive. I’ll deal with it.”
Then, there was her Olympic snub last summer.
“Have all the basketball experts really overlooked how good Clark is, and how she’d perform during the Olympic break?”
At the same time, she faced social media backlash for some harsh comments directed at her.
In mid-June, a reporter questioned her about people exploiting her name for various agendas.
“People can say whatever they want… I’m just focused on basketball,” she responded.
Dehony Carrington from Connecticut Sun tweeted, “It’s wild how some folks can’t be bothered to deal with racism, prejudice, and other issues, and yet they use that to justify their viewpoints.”
In December, she was named Time’s Athlete of the Year, joining the ranks of past winners like LeBron James and Lionel Messi. Just a month later, a man was arrested for stalking her.
Brennan’s book isn’t full of shocking revelations, but she certainly critiques the WNBA for struggling to keep pace with Clark’s rapid rise.
She highlighted WNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbert’s reluctance to acknowledge Clark’s profound impact and her own contributions to the league’s visibility.
When prompted about Clark, a reporter noted the rising talent of other newcomers as well.
“This league isn’t built for just one player,” she retorted.
Brennan concluded, “By almost any gauge, Clark stood alone.”
