Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has praised WNBA first overall pick Caitlin Clark's talent and her potential impact on the league's growth. Despite the Indiana Fever's struggles, James believes Clark's presence is already attracting more viewers and leading to positive changes.
Lebron James, one of the most recognized and respected athletes in the world, has spoken out in support of Caitlin Clark, the number one overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. In a recent episode of his podcast "Mind the Game" with J.J. Redick, James defended Clark against critics who have questioned her impact on the Indiana Fever, who have started the season with a rough 0-4 record.
James believes that it's unfair to judge Clark solely based on the team's early struggles. "It's still a team game, people," he said. "The Indiana Fever had the No. 1 pick for the second year in a row. Do y'all know what that means? That means they're not that good."
James knows firsthand the challenges of being a highly touted rookie. He also understands the pressure that can come from being the son of a famous NBA player. His own son, Bronny James, is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
"I'm getting the same thing from watching my son, who is a 19-year-old, getting a lot of animosity and hatred towards him when he's just a kid trying to live out his dream," James said. "There's a very small number of men and women that actually get to live out their dream of playing the professional sport, and we have grown a-- men and women out here doing whatever they can to make sure that doesn't happen."
Despite the Fever's early struggles, James believes Clark has already had a positive impact on the WNBA. "The one thing that I love that she's bringing to her sport: more people want to watch. More people want to tune in," he said. "I saw, for the first time, they had a chartered plane. For the first time in their league history, they flew private. That should be celebrated in its own right."
James credits Clark with helping to increase viewership for both the collegiate and professional levels of women's basketball. "Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things are going to happen for the WNBA," he said. "Don't get it twisted. Don't get it f---ed up."
The WNBA has seen a surge in viewership in recent years, in part due to the popularity of players like Clark. Last year, the league spent $4 million on charter flights for the playoffs and back-to-back games during the regular season. Ahead of the draft last month, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed that the league would do the same this season.
But this month, the league announced a $50 million plan to provide full-time charter flight service for its teams the next two seasons. This represents a significant investment in the league's future and a testament to the impact that players like Clark are having on its growth.
James's support for Clark is a significant boost for the WNBA. His words will help to raise the profile of the league and its players and will likely encourage more fans to tune in and support women's basketball.
