From OutKick · Jackson Thompson · · 1m 50s
Caitlin Clark is selling out a World Cup from the bench
FIBA's boss says the women's game is about to outdraw the men's, and he credits a 24-year-old who hasn't started a single game.
In brief
FIBA's boss says the women's game is about to outdraw the men's, and he credits a 24-year-old who hasn't started a single game. Clark's pull is not about minutes or starts. She moved the whole sport's audience while coming off the bench, which is why FIBA thinks LA 2028 flips the old hierarchy. Originally reported by…
FIBA's boss picks a side
Ahead of the World Cup final against France, Secretary General Andreas Zagklis used his press conference to talk about what the young Americans did to the tournament itself.
He called the growth incredible
Zagklis said Clark and her peers lifted the popularity of the women's game, and that FIBA deliberately amplified the promotion each national federation brought into the tournament.
“What these players, Caitlin, one of them, have done in increasing the popularity of the women's game is incredible.”
No numbers yet, just certainty
He admitted he cannot quantify the lift and that his team may have figures after the tournament. He still named Clark one of the biggest stars of this generation.
The effect is global
Spain's Iyana Martin, the 2023 under-19 MVP, signed a big sponsorship deal with a FIBA partner two days before the tournament began. Players worldwide are cashing in on the moment.
“So players around the world are picking up these opportunities.”
A prediction for LA 2028
Zagklis expects FIBA's women to match or outdraw many of its former male stars at the Los Angeles Olympics. He framed it as collective growth, not a knock on the men.
“Our female players may be at the same or even higher level of popularity than many of our former male players.”
The biggest story, zero starts
Clark has come off the bench in all five U.S. wins. Kara Lawson has stuck with her veteran starters, keeping Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers in reserve roles.
The numbers back the hype
At just over 20 minutes a game, Clark ranks third in the entire World Cup with 5.8 assists. In the opener against China she put up 14 points and 11 assists with zero turnovers.
At a glance
Clark's pull is not about minutes or starts. She moved the whole sport's audience while coming off the bench, which is why FIBA thinks LA 2028 flips the old hierarchy.
