Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever shoots one of her trademark long-range threes while Kia Nurse #10 of the Los Angeles Sparks defends. Clark's shooting proficiency and dramatics captivated fans. Photo credit: Supriya Limaye/ISI Photos
The Clark Effect: Redefining Basketball's Possibilities
Numbers tell stories. In 2024, Caitlin Clark's numbers told an extraordinary one: over 3,685 points in her NCAA career, an average of 32.4 points per game, and distance shooting that expanded the court's boundaries. More revealing were different figures: 1.93 million viewers for an Iowa-Ohio State regular-season game, setting an all-time women's college basketball record (ESPN Stats & Info). Her final collegiate season packed every venue with capacity crowds.
Clark's scoring prowess placed her atop the NCAA record books, while not exceeding the enduring legacy of Pearl Moore, whose 4,061 points in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women era remain a testament to women's basketball excellence. Clark's combination of volume scoring, efficiency, and range redefined offensive possibilities in the college game.
Her impact extended beyond statistics. The "Clark Effect" also rippled through sports economics: Her jersey became the fastest-selling in NIL history (Fanatics), her NIL valuation exceeded $3 million (On3 NIL) and WNBA ticket sales surged at franchises positioned to draft her (Sports Business Journal).
The 2024 season also sparked important conversations about media coverage in women's basketball. When Time magazine named Clark its athlete of the year, sports pioneer Sheila Johnson, co-owner of the Washington Mystics, noted the need to celebrate all athletes who elevate the game.
The overwhelming media coverage of Clark’s accomplishments received criticism that she was getting such attention at the expense of equally talented peers, as well as predecessors in the game, because she is white. In addition, there were multiple reports of racist interactions on social media toward players such as Angel Reese, who had a much-ballyhooed rivalry when they were collegiate opponents. Such misbehavior from fans followed both players into the pros, to the point that Clark and other athletes had to address it several times, including on social media, and in interactions with disruptive fans at WNBA games.
Caitlin Clark was a sought-after interview by all walks of media outlets in 2024. Photo credit: Thien-An Truong/ISI Photos
Mainstream media coverage did little to squash the sentiments that Clark was getting preferential treatment, or that anyone who pointed out other high-performing players were being biased against Clark.
The discourse highlighted the broader challenge of equitable coverage in women's sports, with players and media alike calling for celebrations of diverse talent across the game. As the sport grows, veterans and newcomers emphasize the importance of recognizing all contributors to its evolution.
However, the fact remains that Clark's style resonates beyond basketball courts. From her logo-range 3-pointers and no-look passes to the competitive intensity that connects with fans and inspires a new generation of players.
The 2024 season showed how individual excellence could elevate an entire sport: Each sold-out arena represented new converts to women's basketball; television ratings records signaled shifting perspectives on women's athletics; and corporate partnerships expanded, creating opportunities for future athletes.
Fans of all backgrounds, including Tobin Heath and Christen Press of the USWNT, sought to catch a game featuring Clark. Photo credit: Supriya Limaye/ISI Photos
Clark's performance set new standards for excellence in college basketball, and her ability to draw casual sports fans into women's basketball demonstrated the game's broad appeal. Most significantly, she proved elite women's sports could command premium media coverage, drive substantial revenue and capture national attention.
For redefining what's possible in women's basketball, for driving historic levels of fan engagement and media coverage, and for elevating the commercial potential of women's sports, beyond basketball, Caitlin Clark is REAL SPORTS' 2024 Sportsperson of the Year. [RS]
BONUS SECTION:
- Athletic Excellence
- Impact Beyond Sport
- Personal Journey
- Public Engagement
Caitlin Clark (4.89/5.0) - Transformed the visibility and commercial viability of women's sports while setting athletic records, creating a paradigm shift in how women's sports are viewed and valued.
Simone Biles (4.76/5.0) - Combined athletic excellence with transformative advocacy for athlete mental health, showing how returning to competition could be done on one's own terms.
VanDerveer & Auriemma (4.58/5.0) - Represented the culmination of decades-long excellence and pioneering work in building women's basketball, setting a foundation that enabled future generations.
Cole Brauer (4.02/5.0) - Broke new ground in sailing while demonstrating exceptional individual achievement and resilience, opening new pathways for women in her sport.
- 2023 Simone Biles
- 2022 Dawn Staley
- 2021 Allyson Felix
- 2020 Kim Ng and Tara Van Derveer
- 2019 Megan Rapinoe
- 2018 Simone Biles
- 2017 Shalane Flanagan
- 2016 Simone Biles
- 2015 Maya Moore
- 2014 Mo'ne Davis
- 2013 Diana Nyad
- 2012 Gabby Douglas
- 2011 Pat Summit
- 2010 Geno Auriemma
- 2009 n/a
- 2008 Dara Torres (Best Athlete)
- 2007 Lorena Ochoa (Best Athlete)
- 2006 Lorena Ochoa (Best Athlete)
- 2005 Annika Sorenstam (Best Athlete)
- 2004 Natalie Coughlin, Abby Wambach, and Carly Patterson (Best Athletes)
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