Caitlin Clark’s stock continues to surge as WNBA superstar ranks right behind LeBron James in most marketable athletes list

Dallas Wings v Indiana Fever - Source: Getty

Caitlin Clark’s stock continues to surge as WNBA superstar ranks right behind LeBron James (Credit: Getty Images)

Upon entering the WNBA with massive expectations, Caitlin Clark was able to deliver a historic rookie season. Her impact on the growing popularity of women’s basketball has not gone overlooked, as she was ranked among some of the world’s most iconic athletes.

On Tuesday morning, “SportsPro” compiled a list of the top 10 most marketable athletes in professional sports. Clark ended up coming in fourth with a marketability score of 90 (out of 100). The only stars to post a better score than her were LeBron James (third), Vinicius Junior (second) and Simone Biles (first). Clark also managed to beat out soccer icon Lionel Messi.

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In just her first season in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark managed to compile a long list of accolades. She was an All-Star, won Rookie of the Year, was named to All-Rookie and All-WNBA teams and led the league in assists. On top of this, Clark also managed to lead the Indiana Fever to their first postseason berth in nearly a decade.

At 22 years old, Caitlin Clark is on the fast track to stardom and becoming the face of the WNBA. Seeing all the new eyes and attention she was able to bring to the league as a rookie, she’s proven to be a hot commodity.

Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA compared to Michael Jordan

Over the past few years, the WNBA has enjoyed a good period of consistent growth in viewership and popularity. However, the arrival of Caitlin Clark resulted in a massive boom for the league in a short time span. Following her dominant run in college, the 2024 No. 1 pick brought a large number of fans to the pros with her.

Clark is far from the first high-level talent to enter the WNBA, but she’s proven to be the most marketable. During a recent interview with The Athletic, Jack McCallum compared her gravity to that of Michael Jordan. The NBA had countless all-time talents before him, but his impact helped grow the league as a whole.

“Clark has made a Jordan-esque impact right away,” said Jack McCallum, a Naismith Hall of Fame-inducted sportswriter and former Sports Illustrated reporter. “The NBA had Bird and Magic, and then it had the biggest star in the history of sports come in and throw his weight into it. (Jordan) seemed to bring everybody along with him. A rising tide lifts all boats. I do believe that’s going to happen to the WNBA.”

More people are watching and talking about the WNBA than ever before, and Clark certainly has played a part in that. As she continues to blossom into a superstar talent, it should yield positive dividends for her and the future of the league.