Caitlin Clark (Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Back in December 2024, WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark spoke out like never before after she admitted to feeling “privileged” as a White woman.
The WNBA phenom was named Time’s Athlete of the Year, and during her interview, she made it clear that she has earned everything she has gotten but acknowledged the privilege that comes with it.
“I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a White person, there is privilege,” Clark told Time at the time.
Caitlin then went on to praise Black women, saying, “A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them.
“The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark once again acknowledged the “privilege” afforded to her as a white player in a league where the majority of her peers are Black women and women of color.
She made it clear that “I definitely have privilege” (via Brendon Kleen of Awful Announcing).
“I’m obviously white, but I think I’m somebody who grew up a huge fan of this league,” Clark said.
“I grew up watching this league, going to games, supporting this league. So I know where this league comes from: a lot of Black women that grew up making this league what it is. And that’s kind of the shoulders that we stand on.
“So I think that was something I’m very aware of, and something I’m very thankful for. And they deserve all the credit, and the more we can give credit to them, the better. I’m very aware of that, and I know that, and I think there is responsibility in acknowledging that.”
The WNBA Is benefiting Greatly Because of Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark (Photo By Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA generated a surge in viewership and attendance.
After helping transform women’s hoops at Iowa, Clark has moved on to the WNBA.
Caitlin Clark has been the face of the WNBA since being drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever last year.
The WNBA playoffs certainly got a boost as they had a 142% increase from the previous season. The numbers represented the highest viewership since the WNBA’s first season in 1997.
Clark’s playoff games for the Indiana Fever were both record-breakers, with Game 2 attracting an unprecedented audience of 2.5 million.
Just before her second season, Caitlin Clark made six teams move a home game into a new location because of a game against the Fever.
Atlanta Dream: State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks
Chicago Sky: United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks
Connecticut Sun: TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics
Dallas Wings: American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks and Stars
Las Vegas Aces: T-Mobile Arena, home of Las Vegas Golden Knights
Washington Mystics: CFG Bank Arena, a multipurpose venue in Baltimore
