Caitlin Clark is what Michael Jordan was for the NBA in the 1990s

For years, the greatest and most impactful basketball players of each generation have been compared to those who have come before them, sparking close comparisons and debate.

Caitlin Clark has had a historic season in the WNBA, with many pundits and fans believing her game is reminding them of one special basketball player in particular.

Clark has been compared to many of the game's greats this year. Her shooting is like Steph Curry's, her vision is like Sue Bird's, and her rivalry with Angel Reese has been compared to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson's battles in the 1980s.

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After one season in the pros, Clark is somewhat off being compared to NBA GOAT Michael Jordan, whose resume consists of six NBA Championships, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, and ten scoring titles.

However, Clark's impact on the WNBA is reminiscent of Jordan's in other ways, from mass marketing appeal to national celebrity and the ability to transcend the sport like never before.

Michael Jordan redefined the world of sports in the late 1980s and early 1990s. From Air Jordan to his immeasurable cultural impact, Jordan became a global icon, helping popularize the NBA worldwide.

In 1998, Fortune Magazine estimated that Jordan had a $10 billion impact on the US economy. The projections come from Jordan's role in boosting NBA television ratings, which increased cable and broadcast fees. He was credited with skyrocketing, NBA gate, receipts and merchandise sales.

Since arriving in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark's presence has increased ticket sales, viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales, much like Jordan was able to do with the Chicago Bulls.

According to Ocean Tomo, when Clark plays, WNBA attendance is 105% higher than when she is not playing, and when the Indiana Fever is on the road, their opponent's home attendance jumps 87%. Clark's games have set viewership marks on ESPN, Ion, and NBA TV.

Because of the Caitlin Clark phenomenon, the WNBA has seen TV viewership increase, the Indiana Fever has had an over 250% increase in home and away attendance, and the Fever store has seen an 1193% increase in jersey sales. Her debut in May 2024 was the most-watched WNBA game since 2002.

Clark and Jordan became stars at their hometown universities, leading to NCAA Tournament glory. Seventeen million people watched Jordan sink the winning bucket in the 1982 National Championship game, while 18.9 million watched Clark play in the Championship game against South Carolina.

The pair have also elevated mid-level franchises with their impact. The Bulls made the playoffs only twice in nine years before Jordan arrived and were in the bottom half of NBA attendance before he led them to being one of the best, The Athletic reports.

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Clark has led the Indiana Fever to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 but was swept by the Connecticut Suns in the first round. With her presence, the WNBA superstar has taken the Fever's attendance from near the bottom to the top of the pile.

Former Sports Illustrated reporter Jack McCallum believes the WNBA is on a trajectory similar to the NBA in the 1980s, claiming, "Clark has made a Jordan-esque impact right away."

He added: "The NBA had Bird and Magic, and then it had the biggest star in the history of sports come in and throw his weight into it. (Jordan) seemed to bring everybody along with him. A rising tide lifts all boats. I do believe that's going to happen to the WNBA."

Jordan and Clark both landed deals with Nike and Gatorade in their first seasons, and Clark became the first athlete since Jordan to sign an agreement with Wilson's Sporting Goods. Perhaps they can sense the significant impact Clark will have on society.

The rise of Jordan and Clark wouldn't have been possible without the strong foundations. Bird, Magic, Bill Russell, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar paved the way for Jordan, while Cheryl Miller, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, A'ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart did the same for Clark.

According to Marca, women's basketball pioneer Nancy Lieberman said, "I just want to say thank you to you, Caitlin Clark, for lifting our game up. You will make all these women multimillionaires one day, as Tiger did, as Michael Jordan did."

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