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Caitlin Clark’s MVP Chances Weighed In Against Napheesa Collier By Insider. Photo credits: Imagn

'She Was The Runner Up': Caitlin Clark’s MVP Chances Weighed In Against Napheesa Collier By Insider

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated May 16, 2025 10:21 AM ET

Will Caitlin Clark become the MVP for the 2025 season? While she may have one of the highest odds of getting the award by the end of the season, one analyst placed Minnesota Lynx power forward Napheesa Collier higher up the list than Clark.

In oe of the recent editions of her program “Around The horn,” ESPN analyst Sarah Spain reiterated her bodl prediction that the 2025 WNBA MVP would be given to Lynx star Napheesa Collier. However, this doesn’t mean to tsay that Caitlin CLark has not fighting chance at all.

“I think you’re choosing Caitlin Clark for good reasons; they put a lot of talent around her,” Spain said. “But here’s what Napheesa Collier has done since they named A’ja Wilson MVP last year and she was the runnerup.”

“She scored the most points in a single postseason in WNBA history, she won the Unrivaled MVP, she won the Unrivaled 1-v-1 inaugural tournament, and she enters this season angry and ready to show that she’s better than the other players in the league that keep winning these odds and keep winning these awards.”

Sarah Spain buys or sells Sarah Spain @SarahSpain defends her take that Napheesa Collier will be the 2025 WNBA MVP. pic.twitter.com/oHQEYE5hc5

— Around the Horn (@AroundtheHorn) May 13, 2025

Caitlin Clark had a record-breaking rookie season in 2024, leading the WNBA in assists per game and setting the single-season assist record (337). She became the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double and finished fourth in MVP voting, and also earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, secured a spot on the All-WNBA First Team, and led the league in three-pointers made.

Caitlin Clark Impact Discussed by WNBA Commissioner

In her recent appearance on “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert was asked on how the league plans to balance promoting Caitlin Clark alongside other big players in the league.

“No league is ever about one player, but in this case, Caitlin brought tens of millions of new viewers to the W,” Engelbert said. “There’s no denying that impact, not just in the WNBA but in the world of sports. Adam (Silver) and I talk all the time about this. She’s the most popular athlete in America.”

“You want to make sure that you balance your other stars like A’ja Wilson, like Breanna Stewart. Napheesa Collier killed it last year. She was the runner-up MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year.”

Cathy Engelbert on the balance of promoting Caitlin

“Caitlin brought tens of millions of new viewers…and there’s no denying that impact. Not just in the WNBA but the world of sports. Adam [Silver] and I talk all the time about this. She’s the most popular athlete in America.” pic.twitter.com/uHTzeOCadz

— correlation (@nosyone4) May 15, 2025

May 4, 2025; Iowa City, IA, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in action against the Brazil National Team at Carver-Haweye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA led to record-breaking viewership and revenue growth, with games averaging 1.32 million viewers, a 318.9% increase in attendance, and a surge in advertising revenue.

May 4, 2025; Iowa City, IA, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in action against the Brazil National Team at Carver-Haweye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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