The former Iowa Hawkeye superstar's Indiana Fever will play all 44 of their regular season games on national television this season, proving that she's always going to be the gold standard in the sport.
It's been two years since Caitlin Clark left the Iowa women's basketball program, but it almost feels like she still plays for the Hawkeyes.
When you venture around Iowa City (or really any city or state for that matter), it's no longer a surprise to see someone sporting a No. 22 jersey or T-shirt. The demographic wearing Clark merchandise isn't just limited to children, either.
Men over the age of 40 often wear Clark jerseys in public. There's nothing wrong with this of course, because it's just one of many examples of Clark's ridiculous popularity.
One more example came up on April 22, when it was announced that the former Hawkeye superstar and her Indiana Fever club would play all 44 of their regular season games on national television.
Not only is that the most national TV games the Fever franchise has ever played, it's the most any team in the 30-year history of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has ever played.
The contests aren't shafted on ESPNU, either. Indiana will play four games on ABC, two games on NBC, and four games on CBS. Those are top-tier networks that are choosing to air Fever games, a remarkable achievement as the team and the league attempts to grow its prestige.
The reason why the networks picked up the games in the first place is obvious, but some people on social media can't seem to understand why. Since the announcement was made nearly a week ago, I've seen posts from fans arguing more successful teams like the Las Vegas Aces or New York Liberty deserve more national TV spots.
There's no denying the Aces and Liberty are the league's top brands. Las Vegas has won three of the last four WNBA crowns, with New York adding a title of its own in between. Indiana hasn't reached the league's mountaintop just yet, but is has something that no other team has - Clark.
The WNBA was barely talked about before Clark joined the Fever in 2024, but since she's been in the league, everything has changed. Player salaries continue to increase, the WNBA Finals has gone from a five-game to a seven-game series, and will add three more expansion teams before 2030.
There's a lot of great players in the WNBA, but none of them come close to matching the popularity that Clark brings each night. Clark is now entering her third year in this league, and it's unreal that people can't understand and appreciate the work she has done to elevate the WNBA and women's basketball as a whole.
My Iowa followers already know this, but it's time for the WNBA world to accept it.
Caitlin Clark continues to be the gold standard for women's basketball.
Looking for a FREE Hawkeyes community?
Don't miss out on our Roundtable community and the latest news! It's completely FREE to join.
Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the FREE Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!
Missed the Caitlin Clark jersey giveaway?
No problem! Become a FREE HawkeyeRoundtable community member today to have a chance to win future Hawkeye prizes! We'll continue the giveaways throughout the year and may or may not have one coming later this month, so stay tuned!
HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io