Serena Williams and Caitlin Clark make it hard not to talk about women’s sports. Until Saturday, the tennis legend held the record for the most valuable trading card in women’s sports; back in May 2022, Williams’ “2003 NetPro International Series Apparel Autograph Serena Williams #2A” sold for $266,400. But now, Clark has rewritten history. Her “2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Signatures Gold Vinyl Signed Rookie Card” has shattered that record, selling for a jaw-dropping $366,000. And just days after this milestone, these two icons found themselves in the same room.

Serena Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, were part of a panel discussion at the NFL Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida. The topic? “The Changing Face of Sports and Its Impact on the NFL.” Sharing the stage with Williams, NFL legend Eli Manning, and Broncos co-owner Mellody Hobson, Caitlin Clark turned heads too.

The moment wasn’t just about discussions. The crossover between the two stars had fans across sports buzzing.  The 23-time Grand Slam champion posted snapshots of her time at the event on Instagram, captioning it, “Yesterday was a blur and all about the future of women at the annual @nflAnnual Meeting @caitlinclark22 @alexisohanian @elimanning I love future of women don’t you? 🤩 Clark responded with three fitting emojis: 🐐🔥💕.

Serena Williams’ commitment to women’s sports is nothing new, and now, she’s making her mark in basketball too. Williams is part of the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, a new WNBA team set to debut in 2026. “This moment is not just about basketball. It is about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes. I have always said that women’s sports are an incredible investment opportunity,” Williams stated. So her team is going to be facing off against Clark’s pretty soon!

However, their link goes beyond just admiration, social media posts or a potential on-court showdown in the future. Presently, these two powerhouses are joining forces to elevate women’s flag football. As the sport gears up for its Olympic debut in 2028, the NFL is going all in to expand its reach. And who better to champion the movement than two of the most influential female athletes of all time?

Flag football, for those unfamiliar, is a non-contact version of American football. Instead of tackles, defenders stop the play by pulling a flag or belt from the ball carrier. This makes it a fast-paced, strategic game without the high-impact collisions of traditional football.

During the panel, NFL EVP of football operations Troy Vincent emphasized why Williams and Clark are at the center of this push. He said, “We don’t get an opportunity to talk about this enough, just the explosion of women in sports. This is happening across the globe, and we want to continue that conversation among our membership.” But as it turns out, Williams’ ties to the NFL run deep. In fact, they go back more than a decade.

Serena Williams makes her pick at the NFL Spectacle

In 2009, Venus and  Serena Williams made history by purchasing a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins. This made them the first female African Americans to have part ownership of an NFL team. Their decision wasn’t just about business, it was personal. “Having spent so much of my childhood in the area, being involved with a staple of Miami culture is a huge honor,” Serena said at the time. “We look forward to many championships and much success together with the Miami Dolphins.”

And at the NFL event too, the 23-time Grand Slam champion made it clear where her loyalties lie. Behind the panelists, a slew of football helmets lined the stage, but for Serena, only one mattered. Taking to her Instagram story, she declared, “Alright guys! There’s only one helmet after my heart, and we all know it belongs to the Phins Up. Phins Up!”

From tennis and basketball courts to football fields, Williams’ influence continues to shape sports in unexpected ways. And now, alongside Caitlin Clark, she’s ensuring the future of women’s sports burns brighter than ever. Which sport do you think will be the next to see a surge in women’s participation? Let us know in the comments!