Caitlin Clark Excluded from Time Magazine’s Influential People List, Sparking Fan Outrage

Caitlin Clark Excluded from Time Magazine’s Influential People List, Sparking Fan Outrage

Caitlin Clark did not make the cut for Time Magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential People. The announcement, which came on a Wednesday, surprised many fans.

This omission stands in stark contrast to Time naming her its Athlete of the Year for 2024. The recognition highlighted Clark’s remarkable impact in the sports world. Despite her accolades, her absence from the influential list raises critical questions about the selection criteria.

Other Notable Athletes Recognized

Time bestowed honors on other prominent athletes, notably WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Naphisa Collier, who co-founded the groundbreaking “Unrivaled” women’s basketball league. Their inclusion on the list emphasizes the growing influence of women’s sports and the efforts aimed at leveling the playing field.

Other renowned athletes gracing the list include U.S. gymnast Simone Biles, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts, and French Olympic gold medalist swimmer Leon Marchand. Each athlete has made significant contributions to their respective sports and has become an inspiration to aspiring athletes globally.

Public Reactions to Clark’s Absence

The decision to exclude Clark has ignited backlash among fans and commentators. In a segment on his show, Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd passionately voiced his disagreement with Time’s decision. He described the omission as “idiotic” and claimed it was one of the most misguided choices he had ever encountered.

Cowherd argued that Caitlin Clark has emerged as one of the most influential athletes in America, regardless of gender, over the past year. His sentiments resonated with many viewers, reflecting a widespread belief that her contributions to women’s basketball merit greater recognition.

Responses on social media echoed Cowherd’s outrage. One user remarked on Clark’s substantial role in popularizing women’s basketball, noting the contradiction of her exclusion from such a prestigious list. Another user expressed disbelief, asking how she could be overlooked.

Clark’s Pivotal Influence on Women’s Basketball

The influence of Caitlin Clark on women’s basketball has become undeniably apparent through various statistics and engagement metrics. During her rookie year, she helped propel the Indiana Fever to become the most-watched team in the WNBA. Notably, all 14 of the most-viewed WNBA games featured the Fever, showcasing her drawing power.

During a September matchup against the Minnesota Lynx, Clark’s performance attracted a TV audience of 1.26 million viewers. This impressive figure achieved remarkable prominence, given that it coincided with an NFL Friday night game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.

In her regular-season finale against the Washington Mystics, Clark set a new attendance record at Capital One Arena with 20,711 fans. This feat underscores her ability to captivate and build a loyal fanbase.

Demonstrating her star power, Clark attracted a staggering 1.84 million viewers for her first playoff game against the Connecticut Sun, battling for attention against an NFL Sunday. She subsequently drew an even larger audience of 2.54 million viewers for Game 2 of the playoffs, reinforcing her status as a major draw in sports.

Viewer Trends and Their Implications

While Clark’s individual success was apparent, the WNBA playoffs experienced a notable decline in viewership following the Fever’s exit. A matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty, both of whom are considered highly popular and successful teams, attracted a mere 929,000 viewers, down 50% from Clark’s playoff appearance.

This trend extends beyond the WNBA. In women’s college basketball, ratings sharply declined after Clark’s remarkable performance in the 2024 NCAA title game, which had garnered more viewers than the men’s final. Without her participation, games such as UConn vs. UCLA and South Carolina vs. Texas fell short, averaging only 3.9 million viewers. This figure represents a staggering 64% decrease from the previous year’s record-setting audience of 10.8 million.

The Broader Impact of Clark’s Omission

The removal of Caitlin Clark from Time’s influential list may reflect broader challenges within the landscape of women’s sports. Despite groundbreaking achievements and record-breaking viewership, representation remains an ongoing struggle that highlights the need for more equitable recognition across gender lines.

As fans and pundits demand greater recognition for exceptional athletes like Clark, the dialogue surrounding the visibility and influence of women in sports continues to evolve. Advocates believe that acknowledging these figures can drive further interest in women’s sports and foster a more inclusive environment.

Caitlin Clark’s legacy is still unfolding, and her impact is already felt nationwide. Giving her the recognition she deserves could play a vital role in shaping the future of women’s athletics.