Caitlin Clark didn’t just bring new fans to women’s basketball, she introduced new viewers to the world of sports, WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert said during an interview on “The Bill Simmons Podcast.”
“(NBA commissioner) Adam (Silver) and I talk all the time about this; she’s the most popular athlete in America,” Engelbert said.
As the second season of the WNBA’s Caitlin Clark era tipped off Friday night, the reigning Rookie of the Year remains the talk of the league despite Clark and the Indiana Fever not playing until Saturday.
The league is brimming with other marketable stars such as 2025 No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers, who made her WNBA debut Friday, and reigning MVP A’ja Wilson, who had a signature shoe released with Nike. And while that’s a good problem for the league to have, Engelbert stressed the importance of showcasing the league’s other standout players, while also leaning into the Clark phenomenon.
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