NEW YORK – Former American men's soccer star Alexi Lalas is not someone who watches professional basketball at any level, let alone the WNBA.
But he says that's what Caitlin Clark is doing for the league: drawing the attention of those who normally wouldn't watch a random regular-season game in mid-May or early June.
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Alexi Lalas (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images/File)
Clark's star power is breathing new life into the league like never before. Lalas told Fox News Digital in a recent interview that it's something the WNBA needs to take advantage of instead of some players turning it into “resentment,” which has fully manifested itself in recent games.
“I think there's a real human element to the reaction we're seeing, and maybe it manifests itself even more in sports, you know, there's the same meanness and [jealousy] and resentment that we have in real life; “That can certainly happen in sports,” Lalas said. “I think you have to have perspective and maturity to look at this situation and recognize that even though you've been working, you're out of line before, and you may have been working.” I get the feeling that she just arrived and hasn't 'paid her dues' or anything… I don't watch basketball, and I sure don't watch the WNBA, and yet now I find myself tuning into “That's the power of stardom that is Caitlin Clark.”
“And not everyone is going to stay, including me, this will calm down. But ultimately, if you stay with more people who come into the tent, I think from a football perspective, we talk about this all the time… The last thing we want to do is be exclusive in terms of that store.”
Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark signs autographs for fans after the game against the Chicago Sky on June 1, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Lalas said that even with his immense football experience, fans, professionals and media alike have a tendency to “eat our own.” But when the potential of welcoming new fans into the community increases, only good can come of it if handled the right way.
“There is a possibility that more people will come into the tent,” said Lalas, who spoke with Fox News Digital as part of FOX Sports' Copa América and Euro Summer Soccer preview. “And although many of them will leave, some will stay. And so, every moment, if you use it correctly and have the maturity to recognize and take advantage of that moment, you are doing something good for the game on and off the field.
“And the WNBA, I think this is a moment that hopefully they can recognize as a great opportunity to bring into the store people who, let's be honest, haven't been there before and, without Caitlin Clark, aren't there.”
Clark took a hard foul from Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter during Saturday's game. The offense was later upgraded to flagrant violation-1. Clark then had a tough game against the New York Liberty.
Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark drives to the basket during the game against Liberty in New York City on June 2, 2024. (Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)
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The Indiana Fever will play the Washington Mystics on Friday at 7 pm ET.
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