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TIME Magazine Is Getting Ripped For Its Caitlin Clark Decision

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 5:17 PM ET

Caitlin Clark was one of the most impactful athletes in the world last year. She helped the WNBA have its most successful season in history, building on her success at the college level at Iowa.

Clark helped the Indiana Fever set attendance records, records for merchandise sales and more off the floor. On the court, she made just as much of an impact, making the All-Star team and leading Indiana to the playoffs.

As Clark prepares for her second WNBA season, there's no denying that she's one of the most popular and well-regarded basketball players in the world. Despite her prominence, she wasn't included in TIME Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people.

One notable sports commentator reflected on Clark's exclusion from the list during his show on Wednesday.

"If Caitlin Clark's not in this, the list is nonsense"@ColinCowherd reacts to @CaitlinClark22 being left off the Time Magazine Most 100 Influential People list pic.twitter.com/mhcDYbBvqa
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 16, 2025

"How is Caitlin Clark not in this?," Colin Cowherd asked during Wednesday's episode of "The Herd."

"Caitlin Clark to the WNBA and they set all-time ratings records. If Caitlin Clark's not in this, the list is nonsense. Who did the list? TIME Magazine? And there's no Caitlin Clark? That's idiotic. That's the dumbest thing I've ever seen."

Cowherd continued to make his point, advocating for Clark as one of the most important athletes in all of sports.

"In the history of American sports...if you talk about league-changing athletes in America: Tiger in golf, Michael Jordan in basketball, Caitlin Clark. Tiger changed golf ratings, Michael changed NBA ratings," Cowherd said.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 11: Caitlin Clark speaks onstage during the 2024 A Year in TIME dinner at Current at Chelsea Piers on December 11, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for TIME)Noam Galai/Getty Images

"The WNBA, it was being subsidized by the NBA. They were going to small arenas, they flew on commercial flights. TIME Magazine, if you don't have Caitlin Clark...that's a dumb media rank. Don't know what they're doing."

Clark's influence and impact are likely to be felt in a matter of weeks. She's set to take center stage in the American sports landscape when the WNBA season begins. Fans will tune in and pack stadiums around the country to see her play, and the effect will likely be felt once again around the entire league.

Clark may not be on TIME's list of the most influential people, but the magazine did name her its "Athlete of the Year" for 2024.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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