IOWA WOMEN STAR PLAYER CAITLIN CLARK DROPS A SHOCKING MESSAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO TEAM/FANS........

Iowa women’s basketball guard Caitlin Clark has become “arguably the biggest star in the NCAA Tournament, regardless of gender,” according to Kennington Lloyd Smith III of the DES MOINES REGISTER. Over the past two seasons, Clark’s popularity has surged dramatically. Her performances on the court create “viral moments on social media and attract attention from national sports pundits, professional athletes, musicians, and entertainers.” She has “nearly 300,000 followers on Instagram and Twitter” and has “partnered with several local and national brands” for NIL deals, including The Vinyl Shop, Hy-Vee, H&R Block, Topps, and Nike (DES MOINES REGISTER, 3/28).

USA TODAY’s Lindsay Schnell noted that Clark is the “superstar women’s basketball needs, right when the game needs it.” With the early exit of UConn, a team that had reached 14 consecutive Final Fours, women’s basketball has found a new spotlight in Clark, who is described as the “most electrifying player in college basketball, men’s or women’s.” As a “transcendent talent” and a “player of the year candidate,” she elevates her teammates and thrives on the big stage. Clark’s presence has the potential to draw fans every time she plays. Next summer, ESPN will negotiate a new TV contract with the NCAA, with expectations to market women’s basketball independently as a profitable entity, now bolstered by its new superstar (USA TODAY, 3/27). Jason Gay of the WALL STREET JOURNAL compared Clark’s impact to that of Steph Curry and Connor McDavid, emphasizing the must-watch nature of her games: “Best advice you’ll get this week: Drop everything to watch Caitlin Clark play” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/27).