Buckle up folks, Caitlin Clark is schooling the WNBA on more than just basketball. She’s changing the game off the court too! Caitlin Clark, the sensational rookie for the WNBA, has already left a lasting impression on the league without even having played in a regular-season game. She has been a powerful voice for the players, and the changes she has brought have long been left behind.

It is important to note that Clark is not only an amazing player on the court but also positively impacts people around her. Her act of standing up for her teammates has started a movement. This has forced the WNBA to review and address the most pressing issues.

A voice that broke the silence

Clark didn’t evade the issue in her first press conference as a pro, which could be seen as the most obvious difference between the WNBA and the NBA. “We had to take commercial flights,” she said, recalling the team’s experiences moving through a Dallas airport like ordinary passengers. Her point-blank statements hit a nerve, identifying the disregard of the WNBA players for the most basic amenities and respect. ESPN analyst, Stephen A. Smith took up the matter in his recent episode, calling out the disparity in the leagues.

Speaking of the clip, Smith expressed disappointment regarding safety concerns and appreciated Caitlin for bringing attention to the instances. “I need any females out there who are fans of the WNBA… who are critical of Caitlin Clark to stand down and chill out. You need to hug that girl when you see her. You need to embrace her.”

Her actions led to the acceptance of a $50 million pledge throughout two seasons that aimed to improve the travel conditions of players. This is a historic achievement for everyone. Clark’s words had value as they were coming from a player who had already secured many lucrative endorsement deals and received a significant contract. Her act of using her platform for the benefit of her colleagues was evidence that she was selfless and sincerely concerned about the league’s well-being.

Stephen A. Smith’s comment comes after Angel Reese was believed to be disrespected by the WNBA over broadcasting snub while Caitlin Clark stood on the other side, being on the receiving end of the prioritization. 

Spotlighting talent that got overlooked

Later last week, as the Chicago Sky were to take on Minnesota Lynx and Angel Reese was set to make her pre-season debut, the game was reported not to be available on TV. Clark’s performance for the India Fever against the Dallas Wings, however, had slot secured. The only way one saw the former’s match outside the stadium was through a fan-shot video that gained 800,000 views. This is a powerful evidence of the unmet appetite for women’s basketball, thus, angering the crowd. 

The WNBA later cleared that the incident occured since a MLB game had been scheduled to air by Bally Sports of Minnesota during Reese’s match. This however, did not stop the criticism and heat coming the league’s way.

Considering the repeated patterns of mistreatment in the league, Smith swelled in gratitude for Caitlin Clark for being instrumental in bringing public attention to the things that matter.  “The subject for today is how Caitlin Clark made things happen for herself, but she was always about everybody, not just herself,” he iterates.

Clark’s influence on the WNBA has been far-reaching. With her untethered walk in speaking up, she might as well be making the road to a more fair and respected future for women’s basketball.