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The WNBA<\/a> made history with a new collective bargaining agreement this offseason, with players making more money than ever before.<\/p>\n The league is expanding, and for the first time in a long while, they will thrive rather than just survive.<\/p>\n That might not all be thanks to Caitlin Clark, who just burst onto the scene after being the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, but her impact on the newfound interest and the league’s exponential growth can’t be overlooked.<\/p>\n That’s why WNBA legend Lisa Leslie made sure to give her her flowers. Speaking on ESPN’s “First Take,” Leslie shared her honest thoughts on Clark’s impact in the league.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a money business, and the money is about Caitlin Clark,\u201d Leslie said<\/a>. \u201cNever in the history of the WNBA have we had a player force teams to get into larger arenas. I\u2019ve never seen that happen. If you\u2019re the GM, you\u2019re obviously supposed to be bringing in money. That\u2019s revenue. I\u2019m going with Caitlin Clark.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Of course, this wouldn’t have been possible without all the pioneers who were there before her.<\/p>\n Trailblazers like Dawn Staley, legends like Diana Taurasi and even A’ja Wilson, arguably the best player in the world, also deserve all the credit for planting the seed.<\/p>\n However, Clark has become a media phenom since their days in college, and watching the Indiana Fever<\/a> play in packed arenas and draw the most nationally televised games in the league speaks volumes about her impact.<\/p>\n Whether she’ll go down as the greatest to ever do it is something only time will tell. But regardless of how her career turns out, give credit where credit is due.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nLisa Leslie gushes about Caitlin Clark’s impact<\/h2>\n
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