The WNBA’s most popular player, Caitlin Clark, will not be playing on Team USA for the 2024 Olympics next month. On Sunday, the news had been out for less than 24 hours, and it caused a flurry of reaction from fans and analysts.
The Indiana Fever guard’s entrance into the WNBA has already been clouded with claims of jealousy and unfair hits on her during games. She is acclimating to the league and is first in scoring and assists among rookies. Clark has had her fair share of struggles but that doesn’t negate the fact that she is drawing new fans to a sport that benefits from her name.
On the business side it doesn’t make sense not to have Caitlin Clark on Team USA. She’s arguably one of the biggest athletes in the world. It’s undeniable that she would bring in huge viewership.
Clark spoke to the media on Sunday regarding her omission. She was very diplomatic and praised the others who made the roster. Clark said “I’m excited for the girls that are on the team. I know it’s the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way of me being on the team, me not being on the team. I’m excited for them, gonna be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid who grew up watching the Olympics, so it’ll be fun to watch them. I think it just gives you something to work for. It’s a dream, hopefully one day I can be there, and I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that and hopefully in four years I can be there.”
In private Clark was more open with her coach Christie Sides. When speaking of Clark’s reaction Sides said “She got the call on the bus and she texted me to let me know and I just tried to keep her spirits up. The thing she said was ‘hey coach, they woke a monster,’ which I thought was awesome.”
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