NBA – Analyst’s strong take on young player: «Not event LeBron and Michael Jordan did that»

Par Joël Pütz | Journaliste sportif

As basketball legends, LeBron James and Michael Jordan have contributed significantly to the growth of the NBA and their respective franchises. But according to Colin Cowherd, someone could soon overtake them in the WNBA…

What is there to say about Caitlin Clark, except that her professional debut has been completely insane? In her first season in the WNBA, the former Iowa point guard proved to everyone that she had what it takes to become a superstar… and truth be told, she already is one after winning Rookie of the Year and bringing the Fever back to the playoffs after years of languishing in the lower reaches of the standings.

But what sets her apart from other players is the incredible excitement she generates at every game, with arenas consistently selling out when she’s in attendance. And her impact on the league’s finances promises to be unparalleled… Analyst Colin Cowherd didn’t mince his words about her:

Caitlin Clark more important to the WNBA than LeBron and MJ to the NBA?

An associate professor of Finance at Indiana University broke down the economic scale of Caitlin Clark, who is just a phenomenon. She generated, last year, 26.5%, as a rookie on a terrible team, 26.5% of the economic activity in the league. Her stardom, not slowing down. The Fever averaged more than the Pacers did per game.

Throughout the league, if she played in your town, attendance for the league rose 30%. The valuation for the Fever – $90 million before she arrived. Now, $340 million. That’s a four times valuation increase. LeBron didn’t do that when he went back to Cleveland. He certainly didn’t do it going to Miami or the Lakers. MJ didn’t do that with the Bulls.

We’re talking one player. She’s Steve Jobs. She’s taking an insolvent company and turning it into a powerhouse.

These are rather strong words that don’t come out of nowhere, since this isn’t the first time CC has been associated with Michael Jordan, for example. A few months ago, WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman was very clear about her:

What Caitlin Clark has done for the game is generational. As a baller to a baller, I just want to say thank you to you Caitlin Clark for just lifting our game up. You and so many great players, but what you’re doing, you’re going to make all these women multi-millionaires one day like Tiger (Woods) did, like Michael Jordan did. And we shouldn’t hate on her, we should celebrate her, not tolerate her.