Caitlin Clark's offseason transformation signals WNBA takeover as teams prepare for bigger crowds by moving to larger arenas

There here are still a few months to go before the WNBA returns to action on May 16th.But first of all Happy International Womens' day. Last season, the New York Liberty won its fi

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GEORGE GORDILLO

08/03/2025 - 15:36 CST

There here are still a few months to go before the WNBA returns to action on May 16th.But first of all Happy International Womens' day. Last season, the New York Liberty won its first title and the season as a whole was filled with record-breaking moments, especially in terms of attendance and publicity, as it was the WNBA'smost-watched regular season and set single-game and overall attendance records, among many other accomplishments. This was due to the Caitlin Clark factor, which brought her fame from her years at Iowa, where she earned two National Player of the Year awards and broke the NCAA scoring record (both men's and women's).

Since being selected first overall by Indiana, Clark has never looked back. Her flashy style of play caught the attention of many more fans, and she didn't disappoint, winning Rookie of the Year honors after breaking numerous records, including the single-season assist record with 337 and a single-game high with 19. She also led the team to its most wins in a season since 2015, and its first playoff appearance since 2016. Although her season started poorly with a 1-8 record, there was a turning point that helped turn things around - gaining strength and spending more time in the gym.

From the time she entered the league through the first two months of the season, Clark added more than two pounds of muscle. This is crucial because the physical transition from college to the professional league is a significant challenge. Physical trainers focus on adapting rookies to the demands of the league based on their abilities. The change has had a positive effect on Clark's game. A frequent ball-handler and contender, she has shot 71 percent from within five feet of the basket since July, compared to 56 percent in her first few months. That physical transformation continues to be noticeable and growing, as Bri Lewerke pointed out on X when he posted a photo of Clark cheering on the Hawkeyes during their game against Ohio State with the caption, "Well, someone's been in the weight room.

I mean, look at those biceps - no doubt an excellent off-season job by her trainers. Even though she looks like a veteran, Clark has only been in the league for a year and still needs to build strength to dominate. She needs that strength not only because she controls the pace and organizes the team, but also because she finished second in the WNBA in minutes played behind Arike Ogunbowale.

With a new coach in Stephanie White, who as a former player understands the physical and mental demands of the season, Clark will be looking to play nearly every minute to take the Fever as far as she can. If she was able to lead the Fever to the playoffs in her rookie season, now with an improved roster and the experience she has gained, much is expected of both the Fever and Clark. Of her physical transformation, White said, "She's stronger first and foremost," adding:

She figured out right away that I need to get stronger... She's done a great job of getting in the weight room and focusing on her strength, in terms of low center of gravity, time under tension, all of those things.

The WNBA isn't just about Clark - she may be the most popular figure, but players like Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu of the champion Liberty, MVP A'ja Wilson, and fellow rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso of the Chicago Sky will make this season exciting. In addition, projected first overall pick Paige Bueckers continues her quest for a national championship with UConn.

As for Clark, expectations are so high that the Washington Mystics announced they will move four home games (Aces, Sky and Fever twice) to larger venues for the 2025 season. Later, another WNBA team - the Chicago Sky - also announced they would move two home games, both against the Indiana Fever, to the United Center; it would be great to see Michale Jordan assisting one of those.

With Chicago featuring Clark's "nemesis" Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso (both of whom defeated Clark in the national championship game in college), these games could break the franchise's single-game attendance record of 16,444 fans, set when the team played at Allstate Arena in 2016. The United Center will likely draw a large crowd when the Fever and star guard Caitlin Clark come to town.

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