Ever since its launch in 1997, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has long been yearning for a spark to ignite mainstream interest. That spark was finally lit with the arrival of Caitlin Clark from Des Moines. Though numerous influential figures had paved the way, Carol Stiff stands out. Stiff, recently the vice president of programming and acquisitions at ESPN, joined the network back in 1990 with a mission to boost women's sports coverage.

Clark's phenomenal performances on Iowa’s team, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, began to fascinate audiences who weren’t typically drawn to women’s basketball. It was a breakthrough, evident when Big Ten Network’s Sue Maryott noticed that her mother, who was in a nursing home for cardiac rehab, became a fan. This newfound interest was unmistakable during the 2023 NCAA Finals game between Iowa and LSU, which garnered impressive viewership numbers on ABC.

However, Stiff’s journey was far from easy. She contended for years to secure better airtime windows, inching towards more prime-time slots. Finally, women’s college basketball secured a spot with Big Mondays on ESPN2, but it still had to share space with the dominant men’s games.

Clark’s impact became evident when her games drew more viewers than others on the BTN network. Despite the move to CBS, her influence remained profound, affecting both fans and industry veterans like Maryott. Clark’s career progressed from college to the WNBA, bringing a fresh wind of popularity to the sport.

Had it not been for consistent advocates like Carol Stiff and the talent that preceded Clark, this surge in interest might not have materialized. Timing, after all, plays a crucial role in shaping the destiny of any athlete.

Unlocking A New Era: Caitlin Clark's Influence in Women's Basketball

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