Is Caitlin Clark a bigger star than any of the young NBA talent?

[dhsilv2]

https://today.yougov.com/ratings/sports/fame/contemporary-sports-personalities/all

Clark is 5th among basketball players in 'fame' behind Lebron, Steph, KD, and a literal prisoner of war. She's closer to #2 than she is to #6.

On Google Trends she obliterates every basketball player not named LeBron or Steph both in terms of US searches and global. Same thing with YouTube.

Her popularity is undeniable.

Wow that yougov poll is crazy. John Cena? Really?

Also wild was if you switch to men vs women. Harden passes Clark for men. That is NOT a guy I'd expect to see that high up there.

[SA37]

Hard to match Clark's influence on the women's game.

The number of people who wouldn't watch/wouldn't care about women's basketball were it not for Clark is high. Her style of play -- the deep 3s -- are Curry-esque and attractive to even non-basketball fans. And the WNBA simply doesn't have another player who is remotely close to the draw Clark is.

If Wemby decided to pack his bags and go back to France or to become a monk and go live with the Dalai Lama, the NBA would move on just fine. Doncic, Flagg, SGA, Cade Cunningham....etc will still draw massive interest in the NBA.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

You are grasping at straws so hard in this thread.

I mean if you say so. Obviously, it's odd that we're comparing 71 games with 11 on national tv to 40 games with 36 on national tv. But I'm sure you know this and still didn't think it mattered. But those of us who look at numbers and think, are going to ask this stuff.

So fans have fewer opportunities to watch Wemby on National TV and CC still outdraws him on average? Even more of an indicator that she's a bigger star than he is.

I think he’s saying that the average includes the non national tv ones as well. I was trying to find his average national games rating but google only gave me his debut which was about 3 million. https://sports.yahoo.com/victor-wembanyama-nba-debut-big-tv-rating-espn-115833391.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANHfi7B3kQ0A2yhIEHfDtQ0E7oHEY-vztyxMlFCy1TLLpi61p44W7_UYMoLWeOOoLcVR-a93RozEbrzO7pGt6KHzVy1Nk0yYHrmvkwaQDXZYuFQRaBdJ8LmdoDuMe-7p0ziNOUaPMi2j6ERG1hC0lcz-5uWyDvc5YL39ifXSSt_7

[dhsilv2]

I mean if you say so. Obviously, it's odd that we're comparing 71 games with 11 on national tv to 40 games with 36 on national tv. But I'm sure you know this and still didn't think it mattered. But those of us who look at numbers and think, are going to ask this stuff.

So fans have fewer opportunities to watch Wemby on National TV and CC still outdraws him on average? Even more of an indicator that she's a bigger star than he is.

I think he’s saying that the average includes the non national tv ones as well. I was trying to find his average national games rating but google only gave me his debut which was about 3 million. https://sports.yahoo.com/victor-wembanyama-nba-debut-big-tv-rating-espn-115833391.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANHfi7B3kQ0A2yhIEHfDtQ0E7oHEY-vztyxMlFCy1TLLpi61p44W7_UYMoLWeOOoLcVR-a93RozEbrzO7pGt6KHzVy1Nk0yYHrmvkwaQDXZYuFQRaBdJ8LmdoDuMe-7p0ziNOUaPMi2j6ERG1hC0lcz-5uWyDvc5YL39ifXSSt_7

Which tops clark's debut game. That said it's not apples to apples with any of these things. NBA is a bigger league and so on.

The poll just posted however was a pretty good indicator of her popularity in the US though. Does seem women REALLY are huge fans and men are hardly ignoring her either. Just doesn't cover the international question and I'm not sure what google searches mean. Just like I'm not sure what instagram means...but nobody seems to have any actual opinion as it seems if you ask a question. People assume you're trying to make some grand argument

[ORLMagicGirl15]

So fans have fewer opportunities to watch Wemby on National TV and CC still outdraws him on average? Even more of an indicator that she's a bigger star than he is.

I think he’s saying that the average includes the non national tv ones as well. I was trying to find his average national games rating but google only gave me his debut which was about 3 million. https://sports.yahoo.com/victor-wembanyama-nba-debut-big-tv-rating-espn-115833391.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANHfi7B3kQ0A2yhIEHfDtQ0E7oHEY-vztyxMlFCy1TLLpi61p44W7_UYMoLWeOOoLcVR-a93RozEbrzO7pGt6KHzVy1Nk0yYHrmvkwaQDXZYuFQRaBdJ8LmdoDuMe-7p0ziNOUaPMi2j6ERG1hC0lcz-5uWyDvc5YL39ifXSSt_7

Which tops clark's debut game. That said it's not apples to apples with any of these things. NBA is a bigger league and so on.

The poll just posted however was a pretty good indicator of her popularity in the US though. Does seem women REALLY are huge fans and men are hardly ignoring her either. Just doesn't cover the international question and I'm not sure what google searches mean. Just like I'm not sure what instagram means...but nobody seems to have any actual opinion as it seems if you ask a question. People assume you're trying to make some grand argument

She is a great ambassador and a great draw for the women’s league. There is no question how important she is and the star power she brings. I hope more players, who are just as exciting, can come in and help that league grow.

I personally, still don’t like it, but maybe there will be a player that I might enjoy watching and I can get into the games as well.

[dhsilv2]

I think he’s saying that the average includes the non national tv ones as well. I was trying to find his average national games rating but google only gave me his debut which was about 3 million. https://sports.yahoo.com/victor-wembanyama-nba-debut-big-tv-rating-espn-115833391.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANHfi7B3kQ0A2yhIEHfDtQ0E7oHEY-vztyxMlFCy1TLLpi61p44W7_UYMoLWeOOoLcVR-a93RozEbrzO7pGt6KHzVy1Nk0yYHrmvkwaQDXZYuFQRaBdJ8LmdoDuMe-7p0ziNOUaPMi2j6ERG1hC0lcz-5uWyDvc5YL39ifXSSt_7

Which tops clark's debut game. That said it's not apples to apples with any of these things. NBA is a bigger league and so on.

The poll just posted however was a pretty good indicator of her popularity in the US though. Does seem women REALLY are huge fans and men are hardly ignoring her either. Just doesn't cover the international question and I'm not sure what google searches mean. Just like I'm not sure what instagram means...but nobody seems to have any actual opinion as it seems if you ask a question. People assume you're trying to make some grand argument

She is a great ambassador and a great draw for the women’s league. There is no question how important she is and the star power she brings. I hope more players, who are just as exciting, can come in and help that league grow.

I personally, still don’t like it, but maybe there will be a player that I might enjoy watching and I can get into the games as well.

Hard to get excited about the WNBA given a high school boys team would likely win. But at the same time, I've got nothing but love for the WNBA being successful. Everything doesn't have to be for me. And she's really the biggest thing since...maybe we have to go back to magic/bird for the NBA in terms of importance for a pro american league. And that's absolutely awesome.

[Nate505]

Honestly Clark should have joined the big 3. At least she would made some real money. The WNBA doesn't know what to do with her and the rest of the players there clearly despise her.

Since when did "making money" become the end all and be all of someone's professional life? Sure, she can join the Big 3, but who cares. It's not the pinnacle of her profession. For better or worse the WNBA is.

[phanman]

You can make the argument that Caitlin is the biggest star in basketball today on both sides of the fence. I even tuned into a few games Iowa and Fever games when there were no NBA games on.

Last weekend against the Liberty to end their 9 game streak

[zimpy27]

Clark is world class on and off the court.
That's what it takes to be the face.

[Ice Man]

Hard to get excited about the WNBA given a high school boys team would likely win.

I'm a WNBA fan. The athletic limitations take some getting used to. It's like watching women's tennis after seeing Alcaraz-Sinner. Howver, after making that adjustment, there are things to savor ... especially with Clark's game. Her court vision is excellent by any standards, and when he shot is on, it's wow. For example, against the Liberty this past weekend she went 7-14 on 3s with an average distance on made shots of 28 feet. And those weren't Steve Nowak standalone shots, either, but on the dribble, under pressure -- because opposing teams pick her up 35 feet from the basket.

That's exciting stuff.

[Himothy Duncan]

No surprise. Outside or Lebron and Curry, she's a bigger star than all the rest of the NBA's elite. I wouldn't limit it to just young stars.

Who do you think your grandma knows more? Caitlyn Clark or Giannis and Jokic? Yeah, going with Caitlyn.

this is so true...a marketing firm would pick Curry, Lebron and Clark over anyone in the NBA.

if we talking headshots Clark is def more recognizable than any of the top 5 guys in nba- sga, luka, jokic, tatum and Giannis are not more recognizable or draw bigger on TV than Clark...

the nba is better than WNBA...but somehow clark is more important to sports media

So I know TV and social media aren't the same thing. But Clark has 3.3 million instagram followers. And I don't even use insta so maybe it's a bad metric, but it seems to be what people quote all the time for how famous someone is.

3.3 million would have hear tied with DeRozan, behind Love and Tristan Thompson. Wemby being the young up and comer people tend to talk about with 4.5 million.

So if she's actually THAT big in terms of TV, why isn't it translating to social media?

3.3 million would have her around 36th-37th among nba players.

I think 3.3 million people is almost everyone on the planet that cares about WNBA. Most basketball fans are never following a journeyman like Tristan Thompson on social media.

[dhsilv2]

Hard to get excited about the WNBA given a high school boys team would likely win.

I'm a WNBA fan. The athletic limitations take some getting used to. It's like watching women's tennis after seeing Alcaraz-Sinner. Howver, after making that adjustment, there are things to savor ... especially with Clark's game. Her court vision is excellent by any standards, and when he shot is on, it's wow. For example, against the Liberty this past weekend she went 7-14 on 3s with an average distance on made shots of 28 feet. And those weren't Steve Nowak standalone shots, either, but on the dribble, under pressure -- because opposing teams pick her up 35 feet from the basket.

That's exciting stuff.

I respect the women's game and it's different than boy's...way more intelligent and all that comes with that. But I just can't get into. now to be fair, I watched a LOT and I mean a LOT the first 2-3 seasons of the WNBA. I'm told the game's improved so maybe I should give it more than just a few minutes here and there at the gym when it's on.

[Gusto1903]

Nobody outside of the US cares about womens Basketball tbh. So no, she is not a bigger star.

[dhsilv2]

this is so true...a marketing firm would pick Curry, Lebron and Clark over anyone in the NBA.

if we talking headshots Clark is def more recognizable than any of the top 5 guys in nba- sga, luka, jokic, tatum and Giannis are not more recognizable or draw bigger on TV than Clark...

the nba is better than WNBA...but somehow clark is more important to sports media

So I know TV and social media aren't the same thing. But Clark has 3.3 million instagram followers. And I don't even use insta so maybe it's a bad metric, but it seems to be what people quote all the time for how famous someone is.

3.3 million would have hear tied with DeRozan, behind Love and Tristan Thompson. Wemby being the young up and comer people tend to talk about with 4.5 million.

So if she's actually THAT big in terms of TV, why isn't it translating to social media?

3.3 million would have her around 36th-37th among nba players.

I think 3.3 million people is almost everyone on the planet that cares about WNBA. Most basketball fans are never following a journeyman like Tristan Thompson on social media.

I might counter that many of the followers for ANYONE on social media...and correct me if I"m wrong. I don't have instagram. The whole idea of that platform sound idiotic. But don't people follow others because they just like them as a personality vs watching them? I don't think or expect all followers are interested in the sport. And that's the question here if I've read it right. We're talking celebrity not just do you watch them play basketball.

[Raps in 4]

Nobody outside of the US cares about womens Basketball tbh. So no, she is not a bigger star.

Women's sports aren't really a thing anywhere outside the US/Canada. For how right-wing the US is, it's a world leader in providing women with opportunities in sports (but still far from where it should be).

[dhsilv2]

Nobody outside of the US cares about womens Basketball tbh. So no, she is not a bigger star.

I feel like they pay more for some players in europe no?

[Ice Man]

I feel like they pay more for some players in europe no?

Before the Griner incident, Russian teams were paying $500,000 (and sometimes more) per season to the biggest WNBA stars. So clearly, somebody in Europe cares about women's basketball.

[CobraCommander]

3.3 million is pretty impressive for someone that didn't have that much time to cement herself. Keep in mind that Clark is in her second year. She hasn't won a lot of accolades yet. DeRozen has been in the NBA for like 16 years. Same with Love and Thompson. Wemby has international appeal and was hyped up as a unicorn before even playing a meaningful game. Let see how fast her social grows year to year.

Also the fact that the NBA is just a lot bigger than the WNBA.

How many of those 3.3m followers are checking to see DeMar DeRozan play? It's easy to press a button on social media once to follow somebody. It requires no effort. Now actually watching someone for 2 hours takes more dedication

I'm not trying to argue DeRozan is a bigger star. Just trying to add context for their social media following which at least correlates to name recognition and face recognition. Nothing more or less. You guys are trying to take this another direction.

Remember the claims here are that she's a MEGA star. I'm simply showing that she wouldn't rank in the top 30. There's a huge disconnect. Some could be explained by her age and that she's only been a star perhaps for the last 4 years. But there seems to be a bigger disconnect even accounting for that.

So why?

Well honestly no one watching Derozen

[Himothy Duncan]

So I know TV and social media aren't the same thing. But Clark has 3.3 million instagram followers. And I don't even use insta so maybe it's a bad metric, but it seems to be what people quote all the time for how famous someone is.

3.3 million would have hear tied with DeRozan, behind Love and Tristan Thompson. Wemby being the young up and comer people tend to talk about with 4.5 million.

So if she's actually THAT big in terms of TV, why isn't it translating to social media?

3.3 million would have her around 36th-37th among nba players.

I think 3.3 million people is almost everyone on the planet that cares about WNBA. Most basketball fans are never following a journeyman like Tristan Thompson on social media.

I might counter that many of the followers for ANYONE on social media...and correct me if I"m wrong. I don't have instagram. The whole idea of that platform sound idiotic. But don't people follow others because they just like them as a personality vs watching them? I don't think or expect all followers are interested in the sport. And that's the question here if I've read it right. We're talking celebrity not just do you watch them play basketball.

Yes, it’s not just basketball fans sure. But I would think it’s almost everyone interested in WNBA (minus the ppl that hate on her, like her opponents) plus non-basketball fans and ppl that support women’s sports in general. My point was that her pull in her respective field is huge. Heck, I have never watched a single quarter in the WNBA but watched her NCAA finals game to see what the hype was about lol.

[Hello Brooklyn]

This is honestly getting ridicolous. Caitlin Clark is not a bigger star than Kevin Durant, Harden, Westbrook or Kyrie Irving.

These are all global starts with huge followings.

Clark only has 3 million followers on Instagram. If she was this huge phenomenon wouldn't she have a lot more?

Lonzo Ball has 18 million.

Clark is the biggest WNBA star ever. But she is not close to as big as NBA stars.