Megan Rapinoe Praises Caitlin Clark's Role in Women's Basketball Growth
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 24: Megan Rapinoe #15 of the United States looks on during the national anthem before the final game of her United States career against South Africa at Soldier Field on September 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Former U.S. women's national team star Megan Rapinoe has been in a longterm relationship with longtime WNBA star Sue Bird. So, it's safe to say that Rapinoe is familiar with women's basketball.
This week, Rapinoe addressed Caitlin Clark's impact on the women's game, saying that she is far from the only one responsible for growing it.
“Being at the Final Four was incredible. It felt like it was what the game deserved and what I think fans of women’s sports really deserved and I think in a huge part, it’s because Caitlin is standing on the shoulders of [retired Seattle legend and Rapinoe’s fiancée] Sue Bird and [Phoenix Mercury guard] Diana Taurasi and [retired four-time champion] Maya Moore and the [reigning champion Gamecocks head coach] Dawn Staleys and [Basketball Hall of Famer] Lisa Leslies — everybody,” Rapinoe said at the Business of Women’s Sports Summit in New York on Tuesday, per the New York Post.
She added: “The WNBA’s been around for 28 years and really doesn’t get the credit [as] the legacy women’s sports league that all of us are really basing all the other leagues off of and base so much of our structure.”
Clark set several records during her college basketball career, while the women's NCAA Tournament made television ratings history.
“It’s so much more than Caitlin, though. [There’s] a huge storyline around Dawn Staley and her game,” Rapinoe said. “It doesn’t look like she’s slowing down. Incredible, undefeated [South Carolina] season and the only reason it wasn’t the only thing talked about is because Caitlin was going absolutely bonkers.”
However, Rapinoe made it clear that she's a fan of Clark.
“You gotta capture the moment also, and my God, she has,” Rapinoe said. “I can’t wait. I’m going to the game when they play in Seattle and will be back here for the one in New York. I’m just as big a fan as anyone.”
Rapinoe's partner, Sue Bird, joined a WNBA ownership group this week.
It'll be fascinating to see how much the WNBA grows moving forward.
