Earlier this week, Caitlin Clark was named Time magazine’s “Athlete of the Year,” following an outstanding rookie season with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. Clark’s remarkable achievements included earning Rookie of the Year honors and securing a spot on the All-WNBA First Team, a feat not accomplished since 2008. Earlier in the year, she shattered the NCAA all-time scoring record during her career at Iowa, leading the Hawkeyes to consecutive national title games. Her debut season in the WNBA also saw a 48% year-over-year surge in viewership, as reported by CNN.
However, Clark’s recognition did not sit well with Washington Mystics co-owner Sheila Johnson. Despite Clark’s impressive track record, Johnson downplayed her individual impact on the league, attributing the WNBA’s rising popularity to the influx of talent, including players like Angel Reese. “We have so much talent that has been unrecognized,” she remarked, suggesting the surge in attention couldn’t be credited to just one player. Johnson also insinuated that Clark’s race played a significant role in attracting a new audience to the sport.
These comments sparked immediate backlash from fans, who felt Johnson’s remarks were disrespectful to Clark and the entire WNBA community. One fan pointed out that for the first time, a female basketball player had earned “Athlete of the Year” recognition, rightfully drawing attention to the league. Another fan criticized the viewership shift, pointing out that Clark’s games drew a record-breaking crowd, with fans overwhelmingly wearing Clark’s gear—something never seen before for any other player or team. While the WNBA has numerous talented players, it’s clear that none have had the same profound impact on the league’s visibility as Clark.
