WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie Defends Caitlin Clark’s Increased TV Time
WNBA legend Lisa Leslie has come to the defense of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark amid the controversy surrounding the number of nationally televised games the team received this season. The Fever will be featured in 41 nationally televised games, a result of Clark’s emergence during her rookie 2024 season. Clark’s impressive performance on the court led to increased demand to see the sharpshooter, resulting in some teams having to move to larger arenas.
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier expressed her surprise earlier in the week, stating that it was “crazy” that the Fever received more national TV time than the defending champion New York Liberty. However, Leslie believes that the attention given to Clark should not be seen as a big deal. In an interview with USA Today, Leslie emphasized the impact that Clark has had on the women’s game, both in terms of money and marketing.
Leslie stated, “Why would we feel some type of way that she has more television games?… I don’t know what the big deal is of the fact that Caitlin is getting a lot of love. She deserves that and she’s helped change this game.” Leslie expressed her gratitude for Clark and how she is influencing the game, urging the rest of the league to consider the bigger picture and how it will benefit everyone.
Leslie believes that when one player succeeds, it opens up opportunities for everyone else. She praised Clark for not making it all about herself and showing respect to the players who came before her. Clark shares the wealth with her teammates and has a positive impact on the team as a whole.
Clark has been the focal point of the WNBA since she entered the league, attracting attention both positive and negative. Her rookie year made the Fever the most-watched team in the WNBA, with all of the 14 most-watched games of the season featuring the Fever.
Overall, Leslie’s support for Clark highlights the impact she has had on the league and the importance of recognizing and celebrating her achievements. Clark’s success not only benefits her personally but also has a positive ripple effect on the entire WNBA community.
