Getty Image / Adam Glanzman
Caitlin Clark is probably the biggest sports story in the USA right now, for better or worse. Discussion around how the WNBA is handling the biggest star to hit the league in its history.
The NBA, whose owners own around half of the equity of the WNBA, has experience handling big stars, like Michael Jordan or LeBron James. So, prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was asked about how he would handle Caitlin Clark if he was the WNBA commissioner.
Here’s what he had to say.
“I think Caitlin (Clark), though, she’s ultimately got to be prove it on the floor. And you can’t anoint stars in this league… I believe she’s going to deliver… Let her evolve as a player. I want to take off the pressure off her, not put more pressure on her.” – Adam Silver https://t.co/k7tgKDzTv4
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 13, 2024
Malika Andrews: the WNBA has had its most-watched start to the season ever and you’ve held executive positions throughout the duration of LeBron James’ career, Michael Jordan as well. How do you balance the power of a singular star versus the health and growth of an entire league as the W is trying to do now?
Adam Silver: Obviously talking about Caitlin Clark, I think it’s fantastic to see. I even took my daughter to go see her when they played the Liberty in New York and it was amazing to see the full stadium and the stars courtside, but I think Caitlinn knows she’s ultimately got to prove it on the floor, and you can’t anoint stars in this league, and there’s some there’s other names that weren’t on your list that were going to be the next fill in the blank and they turned out not to be. That’s because of their performance… I believe she’s gonna deliver. She seems to have the character and the drive and the will and the talent, but let’s let her evolve as a player. I want to take pressure off, not put more pressure on her.
Those are wise words from Adam Silver, and I think is a much-needed healthy perspective around Caitlin Clark. The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer captivated America at Iowa prior to becoming the number-one overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. She’s had her ups and downs for the Fever, who are 3-10. I think she’s probably struggled more than many thought she would, but plenty of people’s expectations were simply too high. Players in the WNBA are very good!
Recently, Caitlin Clark was controversially left off of the USA Women’s Basketball Olympic Team that will head to Paris, France next month. But, considering she’s been in-season basically since October, that rest might do her good. And, at just 22-years-old, there will be plenty of chances to win a gold medal coming up in the future.