Caitlin Clark Makes Forbes 30 Under 30: What It Means for Her, the WNBA, and Women’s Sports
When the 2024 edition of Forbes’ 30 under 30 for sports was released, it created instant buzz among basketball fans and sports lovers everywhere—mainly because of one name: Caitlin Clark. The only active WNBA player honored on this highly-selective list, Clark’s inclusion does more than highlight her personal achievements. It signals a tectonic shift in women’s sports, a new era for the WNBA, and a changing tide in cultural influence.
For years, analysts and fans debated: Could Clark, Iowa’s record-shattering superstar, immediately dominate in the pros? Critics scoffed, doubters stacked up. Now, after a historic rookie season and a wave of game-changing accolades—including Forbes 30 Under 30—Clark’s impact is undeniable. Let’s break down why this honor matters so much to the league, how Clark’s influence compares to rivals, and what this means for the future of women’s basketball.
Why the Forbes 30 Under 30 List Is a Big Deal
Forbes’ annual 30 Under 30 list is not just another roll-call of promising youngsters. It’s reserved for the game changers, trailblazers, and cultural influencers under the age of 30 who are crushing it in their fields. In the sports category, it’s about more than just athletic stats. It considers on-the-court performance, off-the-court marketability, cultural impact, and the ability to move the needle for the entire industry.
Importantly, Forbes is searching for young people who aren’t just collecting trophies, but who are changing the narrative and setting new standards for what’s possible. To see Clark on this list as the only current WNBA player, ahead of established stars and MVPs, says a lot about where the league is—and where it’s going.
Clark’s Stats and Star Power: The Receipts Don’t Lie
If Caitlin Clark hadn’t been on this list, you would have to question Forbes’ credibility. She came into the WNBA not just as a great player from Iowa, but as a phenomenon. The rookie records tumbled—triple doubles, league-leading assists, buzzer-beaters, logo threes, and a scoring average near 20 points—with the composure of a seasoned pro.
Her off-court impact is just as staggering:
Attendance: Indiana Fever games average 15,000 fans, smashing WNBA norms and surpassing some NBA teams’ attendance numbers for early-season games.
Viewership: Clark’s debut WNBA game (2.5 million viewers) outdrew the NBA’s opening night. That’s a first.
Ticket Sales: WNBA ticket sales jumped a wild 93% in 2024, compared to 16% growth before Clark arrived. Experts say the league’s current boom wouldn’t have arrived until 2029 or later without her.
Merchandise: Clark’s jersey rocketed up sales charts, sometimes trailing only NBA legends.
Media and Sponsorship: With multi-million-dollar endorsement deals and relentless media coverage, Clark has become the face of women’s basketball.
Clark isn’t just winning basketball games—she’s making the WNBA cool, relevant, and must-see TV. For sponsors and networks, she’s a gold mine.
The Hype—And the Reality
Some critics and rival fans will argue this is “just hype.” They point to other college stars like Angel Reese or established pros like A’ja Wilson and ask why they aren’t getting the same attention. Let’s be honest: Angel Reese brought excitement at LSU, and Asia Wilson is an MVP mainstay. But Clark’s impact is simply on another level, both statistically and culturally. She fills arenas, drives TV ratings, and has transformed the women’s game into a major entertainment product.
Seasoned analysts once said Clark’s stats were the result of a good college system. They questioned her physicality, her ability to face WNBA defenders, and dismissed her as more media product than real player. Clark has spent her rookie year proving those critics wrong—torching elite defenders, leading the league in assists, nearly hitting 20 points per game, and showing off her deep shooting range and court vision at a pro level.
It’s Not Just the Numbers—It’s the Movement
Clark’s selection to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 isn’t only about what she’s doing on the scoreboard. It’s about her role as an “economic engine” and cultural leader:
The League’s Acceleration: Without Clark, the WNBA’s audience and revenue boom would have taken years longer.
Mainstream Headlines: Clark isn’t just a women’s sports story—she’s a story, full stop.
New Fans: People who never watched a minute of women’s hoops are now learning the game, streaming Fever games, and buying jerseys.
Trailblazing for Others: Her presence has motivated teams, media, and sponsors to raise investment across the league, benefitting all players.
A rising tide lifts all boats. Clark’s “crossover appeal” makes her the must-watch basketball star of her generation, regardless of gender.
Why Not Other Stars?
It’s natural for the Angel Reese or A’ja Wilson fan clubs to ask, “Why not our star?” Reese’s college impact was massive, but her rookie WNBA season didn’t bring the same transformative box office or TV effect. A’ja Wilson is the league’s established MVP, but Forbes 30 Under 30 prizes “who’s next”—those redefining the future, not only those dominating the present.
The New Blueprint for Women’s Sports
Clark’s impact goes even deeper. Her success opens doors for future stars—better sponsorships, more media coverage, bigger audiences, and greater pay. She’s proof that women’s sports can be just as exciting, lucrative, and culturally dominant as any men’s league when marketed and supported with real investment.
Even established college stars like Flau’jae Johnson (LSU), who made this year’s list alongside Clark, show the breadth of this movement—athletes excelling in multiple arenas (Johnson is both a basketball and music star), reimagining what’s possible for the next generation.
Clark Silences the Doubters
Remember the talking heads who said Clark wasn’t physically tough enough for the WNBA? Or analysts who insisted she’d be just another rookie? Instead, she’s breaking records, filling stadiums, and showing that she not only belonged—she’s ready to lead.
She’s not “surviving”; she’s dominating. And those same critics are now either backtracking or using even more outlandish “hot takes” to explain away her success. Numbers—and packed arenas—don’t lie.
The Verdict: Forbes Got It Right
Caitlin Clark’s spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 is as much a reflection of her personal greatness as it is a testament to her impact on an entire sport. She’s making history on the court, bringing in new generations of fans, and forcing the world to pay attention and invest in women’s basketball on a level never seen before.
While the debate will always rage among fanbases, the evidence is in: Clark isn’t just “good for a rookie”—she’s a generational star who’s already transforming the WNBA, women’s basketball, and the business of sports. And she’s just getting started.
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