Howard Megdal, a respected women’s basketball writer and founder of The IX Newsletter, explores Caitlin Clark’s remarkable ascent in the WNBA, her absence from the 2024 U.S. Women’s Olympic basketball team, and how her presence has shaped the league’s visibility. Megdal’s insights stem from exclusive interviews and his extensive understanding of women’s college basketball and the WNBA. His analysis offers balance and nuance to the discussion about Clark’s growing fame and the complexities surrounding her career trajectory.
Megdal has scheduled several public appearances to discuss his new book, Becoming Caitlin Clark, at locations including Washington, New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia throughout June and July 2025.
Enduring Poise Under Pressure: Caitlin Clark’s Unique Public Presence
One of the most striking revelations Megdal shares is how Caitlin Clark has sustained an exceptional level of composure despite intense public attention from a young age. He notes her steady performance both on and off the court, highlighting Clark’s ability to handle the constant spotlight without faltering.
The thing that amazes me is that she has been a public figure really dating back to middle school and early high school. Her first high school game at Dowling High School was front-page news in the newspaper. Despite the fact that there is an increasing amount of attention on her and around her, at no point have we seen her falter. We haven’t seen her falter on the court. We haven’t seen her falter in her public statements. In so many ways, she was built for this. This would be forgiven for somebody who is only 23 years old now. But what she has managed to do with a microscope on her, we’ve seen very few, if anyone, do this in the history of women’s sports. It’s nothing short of remarkable to me. That is the biggest and most impressive thing. You would think there has got to be a public meltdown somewhere. There’s been nothing. It just reflects the way she is, so built for this.
—Howard Megdal, Women’s Basketball Writer
Foundations of Clark’s Success: Iowa’s Cultural Influence and Infrastructure
Megdal credits much of Clark’s grounded nature and playing style to the environment in which she grew up. Iowa’s strong tradition of girls’ and women’s basketball, including the long-standing 6-on-6 style, created a unique arena for Clark’s talents to flourish and be respected locally.
He emphasizes the importance of the established basketball culture and community support in Iowa, which provided Clark with a platform she has effectively maximized. Megdal stresses that while Clark’s talent is extraordinary, it is the combination with a supportive infrastructure that has allowed her success to reach these heights.
Clark’s Role in Elevating the WNBA’s Popularity Within a Changing Sports Landscape
Understanding Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA requires viewing it within the broader evolution of women’s basketball over recent years. Megdal outlines how Clark arrived in the league during a pivotal moment marked by ESPN’s expanded coverage of women’s college basketball and the NCAA’s adoption of the “March Madness” branding for the women’s tournament.
Clark’s profile grew simultaneously as the WNBA implemented strategic marketing, especially during Cathy Engelbert’s leadership, aligning professional games with college broadcasts. This synergy helped to create a direct pipeline of engaged audiences moving from the NCAA to the WNBA.
Megdal points out that while Clark is a catalyst for increased attention, this phenomenon is part of a greater historical continuum, where earlier stars like Breanna Stewart, Maya Moore, and Ann Meyers Drysdale each played similar roles during their eras had the media landscape allowed.
Assessing the WNBA’s Ratings Impact Amid Caitlin Clark’s Injury Absence
Despite reports claiming a 55% drop in WNBA ratings following Caitlin Clark’s injury, Megdal offers a more detailed perspective. He highlights that the Indiana Fever’s game without Clark attracted 1.29 million viewers, surpassing even the men’s French Open final, signaling ongoing robust interest.
Megdal contextualizes these fluctuations by comparing them to other sports stars’ influence on viewership, explaining such variations are normal when a marquee player misses games. He also notes that pre-Clark WNBA ratings resembled the current non-Clark game numbers, showing an overall increase in league interest.
He further remarks that the 2025 NCAA women’s tournament, although showing a decline from Clark’s 2024 peak, still achieved one of the highest TV ratings recorded in recent years, signaling sustained growth in the sport’s popularity.
Looking toward the future, Megdal is optimistic about new talents, including Paige Bueckers, JuJu Watkins, and Hannah Hidalgo, predicting that audiences drawn by Clark will continue to find new stars to follow in coming years.
WNBA Players’ Mixed Feelings on Clark’s Prominence and League Dynamics
Megdal reveals a duality within the league’s community regarding Clark’s elevated status. Through discussions with players, coaches, and front offices, he uncovers an understanding that while Clark’s presence has boosted the league’s media deals and visibility, there’s also occasional frustration when she overshadows teammates, especially in a competitive environment.
Yes! It may not be possible to hold two disparate ideas at the same time within a tweet (laughs). But the WNBA players, coaches, and front offices are very capable of doing this, and do so. It always struck me as beyond weird when you’d see people who should be capable of doing that failing to do so. The bottom line is that you absolutely at the same time can be delighted that the new media rights deal is up by eight or nine times in significant part because of the numbers put up last year because of Caitlin Clark’s rookie season and not exclusively, but at the same time get frustrated at the 100th question you get asked about Caitlin Clark or not want to celebrate Caitlin Clark in a post-game press conference 10 minutes after Caitlin Clark went out and beat you. Those two things are not mutually exclusive in any realm that recognizes how human beings think.
—Howard Megdal, Women’s Basketball Writer
The Complex Decision Behind Clark’s Omission from the 2024 Olympic Team
Megdal examines the nuanced considerations that led to Caitlin Clark’s exclusion from the 2024 U.S. Women’s Olympic basketball team, emphasizing that the decision was neither clearly right nor wrong from a talent standpoint. The team’s guard positions were occupied by experienced players Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum, while Diana Taurasi’s leadership added veteran presence during her sixth Olympics.
He explains that Clark’s omission allowed her to gain rest and recovery time, something vital for her development as a professional player. Following the Olympic break, her performance improved significantly, underscoring the benefits of that downtime.
Megdal also addresses public misconceptions, clarifying that the decision was made without malice despite speculation fueled by polarized discourse.
Clark’s Maturity and Respectful Perspective on Her Olympic Snub
Caitlin Clark’s own reflections on the Olympic roster reveal a mature outlook, as she expressed respect for all players selected and indicated she would have found it disheartening to be chosen merely as a marketing tool rather than on merit.
She’s a 22-year-old who somehow has that depth and understanding about the world and is able to zoom out. That part never stopped amazing me, even with all the lights on her. Just after a game, she is capable of doing that. That wasn’t even a pro thing. She was capable of doing that in a press conference following a second-round loss to Creighton in the NCAA tournament as a sophomore. There is a maturity and wisdom there that repeatedly blows me away.
—Howard Megdal, Women’s Basketball Writer
Covering Clark’s Career: A Journey of Growing Fandom and Access to Women’s Basketball
Megdal compares witnessing Clark’s rise to discovering a beloved band gaining popularity. His conversations with fans, especially those from his own generation, often reveal a regret for not engaging with women’s basketball earlier. He points to the lack of infrastructure and accessibility before Clark’s breakthrough era as a barrier that is gradually being overcome.
Megdal encourages new fans to explore beyond Clark, reminding them that women’s basketball offers many captivating stories and talents that enhance the league’s appeal. He expects that many who come for Clark will stay for the broader experience the WNBA offers.
Impactful Mentorship: The Role of Coach Lisa Bluder in Shaping Clark
Coach Lisa Bluder’s consistent accountability and mentorship significantly influenced Caitlin Clark’s growth both on the court and in the professional locker room. Megdal highlights the coach’s veteran wisdom and progression that allowed her to guide Clark effectively without losing authority early in her career.
Lisa was so generous with her time. I was so appreciative of it. We spent hours talking about this. One of the most interesting things that Lisa said to me is that early in her career, she didn’t think she could have done right by Caitlin the same way she did later in her career. Lisa, being a veteran coach, meant that Caitlin wouldn’t be able to run roughshod over her. So the net result was that Lisa had a lifetime of wisdom and experience that she was able to impart on Caitlin Clark. That significantly shaped not only the player that she became. But frankly, it shaped the person that she became in the locker room once she got to the pros. Lisa Bluder’s role in this cannot be overstated.
—Howard Megdal, Women’s Basketball Writer
The Indiana Fever Opportunity: Building a Contender Around Clark
Megdal stresses that Clark’s entry into the Indiana Fever franchise was ideal due to the team’s strategic construction under Lin Dunn, who possesses a deep basketball acumen. Dunn assembled a roster capable of complementing Clark’s talents and positioning the team as future WNBA contenders.
The Fever’s luck in securing high draft picks allowed the addition of Aliyah Boston, a generational center, pairing well with Clark’s guard skills. Proximity to Clark’s Iowa hometown adds a personal layer to this fit, while also underscoring the dynamics of injuries within women’s basketball, as seen with JuJu Watkins’ significant setback.
Clark’s durability, never having missed a college game, stands in contrast to some contemporaries’ misfortune, which could have altered the course of the 2024 season dramatically.
Anticipating Clark’s Impact Upon Return from Injury
Once healthy, Megdal predicts Clark will significantly elevate her performance. He points to the difficulty of her rookie schedule, which included 11 games in 20 days—the toughest in over two decades—and her rapid growth despite early struggles.
Clark’s early output matched that of legendary players Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird during their rookie campaigns. The Fever’s supportive cast is expected to further amplify her impact moving forward.
Despite stiff competition from teams such as the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations and free agency after the 2025 season could reshape the league‘s landscape, presenting opportunities for Clark and the Fever to evolve.
Megdal encapsulates the limitless potential of Clark’s career, underscoring the challenging competitive environment but emphasizing the unprecedented highs achievable by her talent and team context.