Celtics icon praises Clark at the expense of other WNBA players.
WNBA Stars Must ‘Kiss the Ground’ for Caitlin Clark, Says Celtics Legend originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The WNBA has entered a period of unprecedented growth.
Games are being played in front of bigger crowds, ticket sales are soaring and television audiences have reached record highs.
Much of that momentum can be traced back to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, whose rookie season in 2024 transformed the league’s profile and economics almost overnight.
Clark, 23, shattered records for assists, 3-pointers and rookie scoring milestones. She was named Rookie of the Year, earned All-WNBA First Team honors and became an All-Star starter.
Her games regularly sold out, with the Fever averaging over 17,000 fans per night, well above the league average. Nationwide, WNBA attendance climbed nearly 50 percent year over year, with merchandise sales and sponsorship deals following suit.
Television ratings also exploded. National broadcasts featuring Clark drew millions of viewers, lifting league-wide viewership by more than 170 percent compared to the previous season.
Caitlin Clark’s Record-Smashing Impact on the League
The surge in attention has led to new corporate partnerships, higher franchise valuations and an upcoming media rights deal projected to generate at least $200 million annually starting in 2026.
Economists estimate Clark’s influence accounts for more than a quarter of the WNBA’s total economic activity, with projections pushing her impact toward the billion-dollar mark soon.
Her effect on fan engagement has been immediate and measurable.
Teams are moving games to larger arenas to meet demand, and jersey sales have reached historic highs across the league.
Bob Cousy’s Praise For Clark’s Influence
It is not just WNBA insiders taking notice. Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy, now 97, says players across the league should be “kissing the ground she walks on.”
“It’s a saleable product, and Clark’s done a really good job selling it. She’s exceptional,” Cousy said. “She’s had a tremendous impact on that league and their earning potential. They should be kissing the ground she walks on, not trying to foul her and get her out of the game.”
Cousy, a six-time NBA champion and 13-time All-Star in the 1950s and 1960s, is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in history. For him to single out a modern player in another league speaks to the scale of Clark’s impact.
Injuries have mostly derailed Clark’s second season, but the momentum she has created shows no signs of slowing. The WNBA’s trajectory has been altered, and the ripple effects are only beginning.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
