Caitlin Clark’s popularity has been lighting up the sports world, but apparently, some folks just can’t handle the hype. The Indiana Fever star is fresh off a stellar rookie season in the WNBA, and while many are claiming she’s the biggest thing in sports since sliced bread, Jason Whitlock’s co-host Steve Kim is not buying it. Nope. He thinks LeBron James and any NFL quarterback on a playoff team are bigger names—and he’s ready to die on that hill.
In a recent episode of Whitlock’s Fearless show, Whitlock himself boldly declared that Caitlin Clark might just be the hottest name in sports right now. But Kim? Well, let’s just say he wasn’t convinced. He pretty much laughed off the idea that Clark, with her Rookie of the Year award and jaw-dropping performances, could hold a candle to King James or even your average playoff-bound NFL QB.
Kim’s take? “Caitlin Clark? Biggest star in sports? Really? I totally disagree. Any NFL quarterback—any quarterback on a playoff team—would be a bigger name.” He even threw the upcoming Heisman Trophy winner into the mix for good measure. Kim went on to sarcastically jab at Whitlock’s praise for Clark, saying, “Maybe in the Whitlock universe it’ll always be Caitlin world, but come on now… LeBron James is still up there.”
Shots fired, am I right?
Now, let’s be clear—Caitlin Clark isn’t exactly losing sleep over these comments. While Kim was busy listing every quarterback who’s ever thrown a football as a more recognizable face, Clark was out here dominating not just the basketball court but also… the golf course? Yep, the Rookie of the Year is multi-talented, having recently teed up at a pro-am event alongside none other than golf legend Annika Sorenstam and world No. 1 Nelly Korda.
But hey, maybe Kim thinks quarterbacks can outshine her on the green too.
Despite the naysayers, Clark’s arrival in the WNBA has been nothing short of spectacular. She averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists (which, by the way, was the highest in the league), and 5.7 rebounds across 40 games—oh, and did we mention she also dragged the Indiana Fever kicking and screaming back into the playoffs for the first time in eight years? No big deal, right?
Sure, some sports experts have downplayed the so-called “Caitlin effect” on the WNBA’s resurgence, but the numbers speak for themselves. The league saw a massive surge in game attendance and TV ratings last season, and Clark’s star power is a big reason why. Maybe Kim and his NFL QBs would like to take a shot at pulling off that kind of turnaround.
But wait, there’s more! Clark’s off-court adventures in golf have been drawing crowds too, with fans showing up to her pro-am event in Fever jerseys. Talk about cross-sport domination. Even Clark herself couldn’t believe the support, admitting that golf is pretty tough, but, as usual, she held her own. “It was so fun,” she told the LPGA. “Very lucky and fortunate. Hung in there, did alright.” Yeah, just alright—because, you know, shooting hoops and sinking putts are basically the same thing.
And in true Clark fashion, she couldn’t help but reflect on the beauty of sports and how they bring people together. “I feel sports unite people,” she said. “That’s what this feels like too. It’s bringing people together where they can find joy in something. That’s what I love about sports.”
So, what’s the final verdict? Is Caitlin Clark really the biggest name in sports, or do NFL quarterbacks and LeBron James still hold the throne? Well, if her rookie season is any indication, Clark’s coming for that crown—and she’s not stopping at basketball. Whether she’s dropping dimes on the court or hitting birdies on the green, one thing’s for sure: Caitlin Clark is a name everyone should be watching.
But hey, maybe in Steve Kim’s world, you need a Heisman trophy or an NFL contract to matter.
