Caitlin Clark’s influence on women’s basketball has transformed the sport significantly, especially during her tenure with the Iowa Hawkeyes under coach Lisa Bluder. Throughout her time at Iowa, Clark set multiple scoring records and led the team to consecutive national championship appearances, fueling a surge in both game attendance and television viewership.

Her impact extends beyond athletic achievements, as her presence revitalized interest in the sport and brought new energy to the community. In 2023, Clark’s standout performance during the Crossover game at Kinnick Stadium, where over 56,000 fans gathered—a feat previously unimaginable—demonstrated her ability to attract massive crowds. In that game, she recorded a triple-double with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, further cementing her status as a top player nationally.

Lisa Bluder Reflects on the Growth of Women’s Basketball During Clark’s Era

Lisa Bluder, who coached Iowa for four decades before retiring last year, has witnessed the evolution of women’s basketball firsthand. She expressed optimism about the sport’s rise in popularity and the increasing respect female athletes are earning. Speaking in November 2023, Bluder highlighted the remarkable attendance at recent women’s basketball events and the growing recognition of the players’ influence.

“It’s wonderful to see the growth of all women’s sports across the country,” she said. “Our Crossover game (at Kinnick Stadium) had over 56,000 fans show up! This would have been inconceivable when I was playing or beginning to coach.

“People are now recognizing the amazing talent that we have in the women’s game and people respect them for the terrific role models that they are. People are hungry for some positive experiences in the world right now, and women’s sports are delivering!”

Clark’s Local and Broader Community Impact Emphasized by Former Coach

Beyond inspiring young female athletes, Caitlin Clark’s effect has resonated throughout Iowa City and the state as a whole, according to Lisa Bluder. In a June 2024 interview with The Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins, Bluder detailed how Clark’s popularity boosted not only attendance at home games but also at arenas across the country where Iowa played. The phenomenon has even been dubbed “Clarkonomics.”

“Last year we sold about our season tickets in August. We had to put a stop on them because we had oversold Carver-Hawkeye Arena,” Lisa Bluder said. “In addition to that, we saw every visiting arena we went to increase their attendance by 157%.

“So there’s definitely Clarkonomics going around. If you look up and down Iowa City and you see lots of 22 t-shirts walking around — and I’m not talking about just little girls. I’m talking about boys. I’m talking about grown men and women wearing those t-shirts with pride.”

This broad, inclusive appeal reveals Clark’s role as more than just an athlete; she became a cultural icon in Iowa. The university honored her contributions by retiring her No. 22 jersey in February, acknowledging the enduring legacy she left in both the program and community.

Caitlin Clark’s influence has thus marked a pivotal moment in women’s basketball, driving unprecedented attendance numbers and inspiring a wider audience. The ongoing growth signals a promising future for the sport, with her legacy continuing to resonate among fans, players, and communities nationwide.