Amid the debate about whether or not Caitlin Clark truly deserved all the fame she got more than those who came before her, there was one veteran who stood by her side. Arguably, Candace Parker was among those generational talents that helped set the stage for the ‘Iowa sensation’ to arrive. But putting aside all discussions of senior players being jealous of the Fever rookie’s fame, Parker was a supporter. However, there is one thing that she cannot believe she missed out on before the league catapulted to popularity.

“Pissed”: Candace Parker Calls Out Caitlin Clark’s $50 Million WNBA Influence, Takes Credit for Recent Popularity Surge

On the latest episode of Bloomberg Originals, the former No. 1 pick and Rookie of the Year spoke on how women’s basketball has changed for the better over the years. But Parker still wishes one thing had begun earlier, “I’m pissed that they started chartering the year I retired, I’m not gonna lie. ‘Cause our back-to-backs used to be – we would play and then we’d go to sleep and then we’d wake up to take the 6 AM flight and then we’d still play the next day. So you know, it makes me a little angry because it would’ve been nice for your body to kinda catch that charter flight.”

The former Los Angeles Sparks player announced in April of this year that she would be retiring. The next month, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert revealed that the league would be providing full-time charter flight service to teams during the season. The project was expected to cost around $25 million per year, and Engelbert planned to commit $50 million/ 2 years.

Although Candace Parker was around as an active player when the Caitlin Clark phenomenon began, she couldn’t help but be angry that she missed such a huge opportunity by a smidge. Even Napheesa Collier had spoken about how important chartering would prove for W athletes to maintain their health, the decision finally coming after years of players rallying for more safety.

candace parker© Provided by EssentiallySports

While highlighting how hard the league was when she played, giving examples of not being able to find a gym for whenever she wanted to work out “because we didn’t have a practice facility,” Parker also said, “So more so I’m mad because I’m thinking of how much better I could have been if I had an offseason if I didn’t have to go overseas. And I could have put weight on and I could have bulked up in the weight room and focus on what I wanted to improve on.”

But then the former pro stated, “But I mean I feel like all of us feel a responsibility and a part of the growth that’s happening right now.”

While Clark undoubtedly has taken women’s basketball to new heights, Parker’s comment points more toward the narrative that says that the reigning Rookie of the Year didn’t make the sport famous all by herself. There were others before her who have always been here and deserve some credit for their work.

However, Caitlin Clark herself has always accepted that many legendary players have come before her to pave the way. In fact, she did one of the most popular stages of SNL. Then, the undrafted 2x NPOY thanked former players for setting up the stage for her and many like her.

“Thanks to all the great players like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, the great Dawn Staley, and my basketball hero, Maya Moore. These are the women that kicked down the door so I could walk inside. So I want to thank them tonight for laying the foundation,” mentioned Clark one night before her WNBA draft.

Candace Parker imagines an NIL era for herself

It was only three years ago when college athletes’ lives were forever changed by new NCAA rulings in 2021. Their names, images, and likenesses could be used to earn money, a huge change in college sports. Caitlin Clark had deals with a combined estimate of $3.1 million, with brands like Nike and Gatorade. Candace Parker was close to retiring when the new rulings came.

The 3x WNBA champ said in the same podcast about how she wants to be happy about where the league is at right now, “But man, if I would’ve had NIL in college. You know, you gotta think about what if occasionally.” The only W rookie to ever win not only ROTY but also MVP, which she did in 2008, Parker would have been a huge NIL hit at the University of Tennessee.

Nevertheless, Candace Parker is happy with where the W is right now, thanks to Caitlin Clark, yes, but also all the players that make up the league. “I also look at the doors that are opening now and look at where the sport is. I work with a lot of angry old heads, I don’t wanna be the angry old head.” 

Caitlin Clark or no Caitlin Clark, Parker will clearly continue to extend her support to the sport she loves. But the presence of a famous rookie certainly helps bring in more eyes and better facilities!
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