By the age of 22, Caitlin Clark has etched a lasting mark on American society and culture, both within and beyond the confines of the basketball court.

Hailing from West Des Moines, Iowa, Clark burst onto the college scene with the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2020, also representing the USA on the international stage during her youth. Since then, she’s cemented her status as the most prolific scorer in college basketball history, amassing an impressive 3,951 points over four seasons.

In March, Clark surpassed the long-standing record held by Pete Maravich, a five-time NBA All-Star and revered figure in college basketball, marking a milestone that had endured for over fifty years.

Her influence on NCAA game attendance has been nothing short of remarkable, with nearly every Hawkeyes game in the 2023-24 season either setting or shattering previous records. Termed the “Caitlin Clark Effect,” her impact has reshaped the landscape of women’s basketball indefinitely.

The anticipation surrounding college basketball peaks early in the year, culminating in the excitement of “March Madness,” a thrilling tournament to determine the NCAA champion. Clark’s prowess on the court drew immense attention, with over 12 million viewers tuning in to witness her scoring spree of 41 points against LSU in the Elite Eight matchup on April 2nd.

The national championship showdown between Iowa and South Carolina garnered even more attention, drawing an average of 18.7 million viewers—an astounding 89% increase from the previous year. This historic viewership made it the most-watched basketball game, men’s or women’s, in five years at any level, with South Carolina ultimately emerging victorious with an 87-75 win.

At its zenith, the championship game captivated a staggering 24 million viewers across the nation.

Clark’s presence in WNBA will be game-changing

To put that into perspective, the 2023 WNBA Finals averaged 728,000 viewers over four games – with 889,000 tuning in to witness the Las Vegas Aces’ championship win.

Of the 12 WNBA teams, the Indiana Fever had the second-lowest attendance in 2023.

This is their second draft in a row with the No 1 pick and they chose Clark.

The 22-year-old athlete secured profitable sponsorship agreements with Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, and Panini even before transitioning into professional status.

Name, Image, Likeness

In June 2021, following a pivotal ruling by the Supreme Court, restrictions on Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) were lifted. This groundbreaking decision enabled student-athletes to capitalize on commercials and endorsements, a privilege previously reserved for professionals.

As per the NIL database On3, Clark has amassed $3.1 million (£2.4 million) through sponsorship deals, positioning her as the top earner among women’s basketball players and the fourth highest earner among student-athletes.

Caitlin Clark vs Stephen Curry
In 2023-24, Clark had the greatest three-point NCAA shooting season of all time for any gender, making 201.

She surpassed the previous joint-record holder and four-time NBA champion, Stephen Curry with 162 in 2007-08.
Clark holds the record for the most three-pointers made in NCAA history, scoring 548 of them in her four years at the University of Iowa.

The future

While Clark may have fallen short of the ultimate title of a national championship, her lasting impact on women’s basketball cannot be underestimated.

The Iowa legend has increased viewing ratings, attendance, and merchandise sales to unprecedented heights.

Off the court, her star power has opened burgeoning financial opportunities for student-athletes.

With Clark’s selection as the No 1 overall pick, this is only the beginning.