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Move over, Serena. Step aside, Megan. Make room for the latest contender in the sports and stardom scene—Caitlin Clark. That’s right, Time magazine’s Inspiring Women issue has officially given the WNBA rookie a place of honor on its cover, and while Taylor Swift still sits squarely in the middle (as expected), Clark has cemented herself right beside the music icon, like a new sheriff in town. And to the surprise of many, she’s higher up on the cover hierarchy than both Serena Williams and Megan Rapinoe. Some would call that fast-tracked fame; Clark’s fans might call it destiny.
But let’s be clear, Caitlin Clark isn’t here by accident. The “Caitlin Clark effect” has taken hold of sports fans nationwide, from die-hard basketball buffs to casual viewers. One season in, and Clark is already turning the WNBA upside down. The Indiana Fever guard’s prowess has consistently drawn TV audiences that usually prefer their sports with helmets and shoulder pads. WNBA games with Clark in the lineup managed to draw record-breaking viewers, even competing with NFL ratings—a feat that’s no small potato, especially considering she’s fresh out of college.
That’s right, in a matter of months, Clark’s presence has vaulted her into the upper echelon of professional athletes, and she’s quickly become the WNBA’s golden ticket. Need proof? The recent draft, which saw Indiana snag Clark with the first pick, raked in 2.45 million viewers, making it the most-watched WNBA draft since 2000. Even regular-season games have been setting new viewing records, with Clark’s matchups drawing larger-than-life numbers. Some call it a Cinderella story, but others say Clark’s ascension is more like a rocketing meteor—a meteor that wears a basketball jersey and makes NBA-range three-pointers look routine.
Even beyond the court, Clark’s influence rivals the likes of Taylor Swift. Yes, Swifties, you read that right. After Clark sent a tweet last year cheering on Swift’s boyfriend’s team, “Chiefs Kingdom,” a crossover fandom seemed to bloom overnight. Suddenly, the pop star’s army of fans was all-in on Clark, thanks to a mix of relatable enthusiasm and an unspoken alliance (clearly visible on Time’s cover) between Swift and Clark, the new queens of their fields.
But Clark isn’t without controversy—because what great star story would be complete without it? After Angel Reese invited Kayla Nicole (yes, that Kayla Nicole, once linked to none other than Travis Kelce, Swift’s beau) onto her podcast, it sparked a storm. Nicole’s recounting of her past with Kelce triggered the Swift fandom to leap to Clark’s side, defending her from imagined and real criticisms alike. If Reese thought inviting Nicole would slide under the radar, she didn’t account for the social media explosion that followed. Caitlin’s defense force went full throttle, further solidifying her status not only as a sports icon but as a pop culture mainstay.
As if Clark’s mainstream takeover weren’t enough, she’s even received praise from none other than Serena Williams, the reigning queen of athletic achievement. Williams has defended Clark against the handful of naysayers who have popped up, attributing their critiques to the classic culprit: envy. But not without a sprinkle of humor—Serena even threw in a jab at the ESPYs, comparing Clark to Larry Bird in every way, quipping that her fierce Indiana following has shades of “Larry Legend” and even suggesting the admiration for Clark is, well, super specific. “People are just crazy about you,” she joked, flashing that wry smile.
With all this unfolding, Caitlin Clark’s rise is the kind of sports sensation that feels like a once-in-a-generation event. From college phenom to WNBA star, from sports headline to social media sweetheart, and from game-winning scorer to the face of the new female athlete renaissance, Clark has done it all in less time than most rookies take to unpack their lockers. So if you haven’t been paying attention, now might be a good time to start. Because Caitlin Clark is already in the spotlight—and by the looks of it, she’s planning to stay.