Caitlin Clark has never forgotten where she came from—and now she’s finding new ways to give back to the state that raised her. As her influence continues to grow far beyond the hardwood, the Indiana Fever star remains deeply connected to her Iowa roots.
Back in February, Clark partnered with Iowa-founded supermarket chain Hy-Vee to champion child nutrition, pledging support for food banks across the Midwest through fundraising efforts and food drives. Now, that relationship is leveling up.
Hy-Vee recently announced that it will be the exclusive distributor of Clark’s limited-edition Gatorade “Cool Blue” bottle—a signature release from the sports drink giant celebrating the WNBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year. The rollout is more than just a marketing move; it’s a celebration of Clark’s hometown pride and national reach.
Founded in Beaconsfield, Iowa, Hy-Vee now operates more than 280 stores across the Midwest and South. While they currently dominate in states like Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, expansion plans are in motion for Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and, notably, Indiana, where Clark is quickly becoming a household name.
Caitlin Clark Isn’t Just the Future—She’s the Now
With the WNBA preseason set to tip off in just under two weeks, Caitlin Clark has continued making headlines during the offseason. She recently returned to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to support the Indiana Pacers in their 117–98 win over the Bucks, prompting some fans to jokingly dub her the team’s “good luck charm.”
But her off-court impact is no joke. Clark was just revealed to have the second-best-selling jersey of 2024, trailing only Steph Curry. It’s an eye-popping stat that underscores her crossover appeal in a league still fighting for mainstream visibility.
“She really is the face of the league,” one fan posted. “Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t lie. The league should embrace it and capitalize on her stardom. She’s a proven method.”
She really is the face of the league. Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t lie. The league should embrace it and capitalize on her stardom, her presence has already shifted so much in just one year, she’s a proven method. https://t.co/QIOo0jPnbK
— Hillskii (@S_Carm7) April 21, 2025
As the Fever gear up for their preseason opener on May 3 against the Washington Mystics—and their regular season tip-off vs. Chicago on May 17—Clark’s impact is already undeniable. Whether she’s shifting culture, elevating brands, or bringing new eyes to the women’s game, Caitlin Clark isn’t just leading the charge.
She is the charge.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through [email protected]. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
