Caitlin Clark Named TIME's Athlete of the Year After Record-Breaking Rookie Season

Dec 10, 2024, 03:43 PM

TIME magazine has named Caitlin Clark as its 2024 Athlete of the Year following her record-breaking rookie season in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever, where she was also named Rookie of the Year. Clark became the second basketball player to receive the honor, after LeBron James in 2020. The 22-year-old guard dominated the league, setting six rookie records and four franchise records, and is credited with changing women's sports by attracting new fans and boosting the league's popularity in television ratings, merchandise, and ticket sales. In an interview with TIME, Clark expressed pride in expanding the fan base of women's sports, stating, "I've been able to captivate so many people that have never watched women's sports, let alone women's basketball, and turn them into fans." She acknowledged the significant contributions of Black players to the WNBA, emphasizing the importance of appreciating, highlighting, and investing in them. Clark's achievements have been credited with revitalizing the WNBA's popularity and transforming women's sports.