Caitlin Clark is the hottest name in college basketball at the moment. Fox is hoping to capitalize on her star power with an ambitious and unprecedented idea, at least in the world of collegiate sports.
The network will spotlight the Iowa women's basketball superstar during the No. 3 Hawkeyes' clash with Maryland on Saturday. Fox will offer fans an opportunity to watch 'Caitlin Cam' on its official TikTok account while the broadcast airs, per The Athletic's Scott Dochterman,
It represents the first time Fox Sports has attempted to live stream in-game content as it happens, Dochterman said. It should come as no surprise that Clark coaxed the network to make such a decision.
MORE: When will Caitlin Clark pass Kelsey Plum, Pete Maravich for college basketball scoring title?
Tik Tok will provide fans with an opportunity to witness Clark's offensive heliocentricity. The specialized broadcast will follow Clark's every move on offense, and attempt to show how she creates space and opportunities for herself and her teammates.
On defense, the contest will return to its typical game broadcast. That will also be the case during the few moments Clark takes to the bench.
Iowa star Cailtin Clark charges toward NCAA scoring record
It's the latest in a series of moves made to cater to Clark's greatness. The Hawkeyes star is rapidly approaching the NCAA's all-time leading mark in points during a career. Her stardom knows no bounds, with programs across the country receiving a boost in viewership and attendance when Clark touches down on their courts.
It's colloquially called "The Caitlin Clark Effect." And it's a very real phenomenon.
MORE: Why Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark were selected as TSN's Athletes of the Year in 2023
Maryland sold out Xfinity Center for Saturday's clash with the Hawkeyes. It represents just the fourth time since the colosseum was opened that a women's game has reached full allotment. In that same time, the Terps have reached seven Elite Eights, three Final Fours and won a national title. Clark is just different.
“We’ve never really seen this around one player,” said Rose DiPaula, Maryland’s director of strategic communications, during an interview with the Washington Post's Barry Svrluga. “Teams, maybe. But this is different.”
It seems corporations are taking notice, too. Nike, State Farm, Gatorade and midwest grocery store brand Hy-Vee have all made Clark a part of their brand empires. Fox Sports is following in their predecessors' footsteps, hoping to catch a bit of a windfall from the tidal wave that is Clark fandom.
Perhaps it's grating to basketball purists to see corporations scramble to make a quick buck off Clark's exceptional skill set. That's not on Clark, though. These are simply the conditions by which sports exist in Western society.
As long as Clark keeps on scoring, she'll keep on getting the spotlight. You can't say she doesn't deserve it, either.
Caitlin Clark stats 2023-24
- 32.1 points per game
- 7.7 assists per game
- 7.0 rebounds per game
- 1.7 steals per game
- 4.3 turnovers per game
- 48.4 percent field goal shooting
- 40.1 percent 3-point shooting
- 84.9 percent free throw shooting
