From dominating the college hardwood at Iowa to setting the WNBA ablaze as a rookie, Caitlin Clark has quickly become the face of a new era in women’s basketball. Her rookie campaign was nothing short of historic—earning a WNBA All-Star nod, an All-WNBA First Team selection, and taking home Rookie of the Year honors. Yet, despite her rapid rise and overwhelming popularity, Clark was left off the USA women’s basketball roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The decision shocked fans and media alike. Many believed Clark was a lock for the national team, citing her skill, star power, and ability to stretch defenses with her deep shooting. So what happened?
Sports columnist Christine Brennan, while promoting her book On Her Game—a deep dive into Clark’s influence on women’s sports—hinted that answers might be inside the pages. When asked directly on social media about Clark’s Olympic snub, Brennan responded coyly:
“Well…😉 I will say this member of the media has done her best to get to the bottom of the US Olympic decision on Caitlin Clark — and all of my reporting is in On Her Game.”
While the exact reason remains under wraps unless you’re turning pages, fans and pundits are speculating everything from roster politics to veteran loyalty played a role. Whatever the case, one thing is clear: Clark’s international moment will come, and when it does, she’ll be ready.
Caitlin Clark is The Present and the Future of the WNBA
Despite the Olympic absence, Clark’s impact on the WNBA is undeniable. Heading into the 2025 season, her presence is a game-changer—not just for the Indiana Fever, but for the entire league. With an 11-year media rights deal kicking in, the WNBA is betting big on its newest superstar. The Fever are scheduled for 41 nationally televised games this season—more than any team in the league. For comparison, the defending champion Las Vegas Aces will have 33.
Her drawing power is so immense that teams are relocating games to larger arenas just to accommodate the crowds coming to see her play.
The Olympic snub might have stung, but Caitlin Clark’s influence is already global. Whether it’s filling arenas or rewriting record books, she’s proving the spotlight isn’t too bright—it’s just getting started.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
