Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Caitlin Clark touted as ‘most influential player of all-time’ by Skip Bayless’ co-host after NCAA tournament

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Satvika Deshpande | Last updated 4/9/24

As Caitlin Clark has ended her college basketball career, the basketball world has started discussing the star’s position in the all-time greats ranking. Considering the athlete’s incredible run in the last couple of years the star is getting considered as the best of women’s college basketball.

However, not everyone agrees with the star’s GOAT title. Sportscaster Rachel Nichols believes that Caitlin Clark is the most influential player of all time but not the greatest. Nichols has many former players as candidates for the greatest of all-time list but the ranking does not include Clark.

I don't know whether you've called her[Clark] the GOAT either way. She's not the greatest player of all time in college women's basketball to me, she's the most influential player. Rachel Nichols said

While talking to Skip Bayless, Nichols further explained that Clark’s influence on women’s sports during the NCAA tournament will have an impact for a long time. The sports anchor also talked about the difference Clark’s aura is making in the treatment of women athletes in the country.

.@Rachel__Nichols calls Caitlin Clark the “most influential player of all-time in women’s college basketball”:

“She is one of the greats. The WNBA is going to get a lift. People will watch women’s sports.” pic.twitter.com/j0HGeSHa69
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) April 8, 2024

Nichols also praised Clark’s impact on the young girls who look up to her and believe in their ability to play on the same level as the boys. As Clark will head to the WNBA, Nichols believes that the star will also bring in viewership numbers for the professional league.

Caitlin Clark’s influence is making WNBA teams upgrade to larger venues

Clark is all set to enter the WNBA this season, and the star is anticipated to be 1st pick in the draft. The Indiana Fever are expected to select Clark as they have the number one pick. The star’s anticipation of getting drafted by the Fever has already started to bring a difference in the league.

In the upcoming season, the Las Vegas Aces will face Indiana on July 2. Considering Clark will join the team, the Aces have upgraded the game’s venue to a larger arena. The team announced the news of changing the venue to T-Mobile Arena on social media. The new venue will have 8,000 more seats than the team’s previous and usual location the Michelob Ultra arena.

The Las Vegas Aces are moving their matchup against the Indiana Fever and potential No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark this upcoming season to T-Mobile Arena to accommodate 8K more seats.

Teams are changing venues before she’s even drafted… pic.twitter.com/1CaLNOWKXq
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 9, 2024

Making these changes even before Clark gets drafted truly speaks volumes about her influence. The team changed the venue months before the actual game, signaling the number of ticket sales. Looking at the current betterment, Clark will undoubtedly become the reason to bring many positive changes to the WNBA.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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