Caitlin Clark is a PR role model

Women are having a moment. The hottest name in sports is Caitlin Clark. Women who lead business and community causes are as loud and proud as ever. You could argue that Clark is both.

Why does this matter? Representation. For instance, young girls are pulling up behind three-point lines pretending to shoot like Clark when a few years ago, they were like the rest of basketball creation and trying to emulate Stephen Curry.

Media attention

Brands and broadcasters have jumped on the Clark and women’s basketball bandwagon and they’re being rewarded with millions of eyeballs. When I asked around my gym about today’s best public relations story, every person said, “Caitlin Clark.” That’s among all topics.

Household name

It’s undisputed that Clark, the University of Iowa basketball star who’s crushed NCAA records this season, has helped elevate a sport that was already on the rise. She’s dominated sports talk, and mainstream media is giving her minutes, too. Her approach to all of it is a PR lesson for any leader who wants to woo fans and would-be business partners.

NIL benefits Clark now and beyond

Clark, a senior, would have been smothered with media attention if she set records five years ago, but that she’s done it when she’s able to monetize her name, image and likeness means she’s a step ahead before she transitions to the WNBA later this spring. It also means that businesses that invest in her can generate attention during the hottest part of the college basketball season.

Psst … to those who still argue that NIL distracts college athletes? If business deals have slowed Clark, imagine the numbers she’d put up without them.

Like leading women before her, Clark is creating a blueprint for how to maintain a positive public presence on and off the court. That she’s doing it during a time when media is everywhere and she’s able to capitalize on her dynamic college sports career moves her one rung higher.

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Shoutouts

Thanks to former NBA player and basketball broadcaster, Len Elmore, for inviting me back to speak to his Columbia University Leadership in Sports Management class. He’s helping to guide a lot of bright minds.

Also thanks to Spin Sucks’ Gini Dietrich for hosting my thoughts about successful book publicity. If you’re writing a book or plan to, maybe I can help: https://spinsucks.com/communication/book-publicity/