Updated
Tennis legend Chris Evert has renewed her support for Caitlin Clark, arguing that the WNBA should celebrate the Indiana Fever star and the attention she’s brought to women’s basketball.
“The WNBA should be celebrating her,” Evert wrote on X, replying to a viral post describing Clark as the most powerful female athlete in the world. The wording wasn’t quite accurate.
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In October 2025, Forbes published “America’s Most Powerful Women in Sports.” Clark ranked fourth, behind New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, FanDuel chief executive Amy Howe and Nike executive Amy Montagne.
She was the highest-ranked active athlete on that list, but it covered influential American women in sports rather than naming the world’s most powerful female athlete.
Other sports figures recognized included Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, who were listed together at ninth, tennis great Serena Williams at 11, Coco Gauff at 13 and four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson at 15.
Even with the viral claim needing clarification, Clark’s place on the list reflected her growing profile beyond basketball.
Clark’s arrival in the league in 2024 coincided with a substantial increase in attention. The WNBA drew more than 54 million unique viewers across national television networks during her rookie season, while total attendance rose 48% from the previous year.
The Fever also recorded 340,715 fans at home games, surpassing the New York Liberty’s previous league benchmark of 250,565, set in 2001. Clark wasn’t solely responsible for the league’s growth, but her popularity was an important factor.
Clark’s influence reaches far beyond the court
That audience interest has continued. In 2026, Fever games featuring Clark were among the most-watched WNBA broadcasts on CBS, ESPN and ION.
An Indiana matchup against the Chicago Sky also became the second-most-watched WNBA game in ABC history, underscoring the star’s continuing drawing power.
The impact is visible on social media, too. Research by Indiana University Columbus finance professor Ryan Brewer found that official WNBA social-media views climbed from 373 million in late 2023 to nearly 2 billion by the end of the 2024 season, a 436% year-over-year increase.
Brewer compared the excitement around Clark to the “Taylor Swift effect,” while stressing that other players contribute to the league’s appeal. Clark’s highlights, he found, can attract far more views than typical WNBA game content.
Evert’s latest comment is consistent with her previous public support. When Clark was named TIME’s 2024 Athlete of the Year, Evert said she deserved the honor after Washington Mystics co-owner Sheila Johnson questioned the decision.
In June 2025, Evert also criticized poor sportsmanship after Clark was poked in the eye during a game against the Connecticut Sun.
Evert’s message is familiar, as she believes Clark’s popularity should be viewed as an opportunity. Recognizing one star doesn’t mean overlooking her teammates.