Caitlin Clark was not included on Time Magazine’s list of The 100 Most Influential People of 2025, and many fans questioned how the decision was made.

Caitlin Clark Snubbed from TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025: Outrage Grows Over Omission of Women’s Basketball Icon

 

By Daniel Phillip

 

In a move that stunned much of the sports world and beyond, Caitlin Clark — the Indiana Fever’s superstar rookie and a transcendent figure in women’s basketball — was left off TIME Magazine’s 2025 list of the “100 Most Influential People.” The omission has ignited a firestorm of backlash on social media, talk shows, and sports commentary platforms, with fans and analysts alike questioning the publication’s criteria and motives.

 

This surprise exclusion comes just months after Clark graced the cover of TIME as the 2024 Athlete of the Year, an honor recognizing her meteoric rise and her cultural and commercial impact on the game of basketball. Her omission this year has prompted a growing number of fans to ask: how could one of the most talked-about athletes in the world — someone who has fundamentally shifted the national conversation around women’s sports — not be included?

 

 

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A Cultural Phenomenon

 

Caitlin Clark’s rise to fame is well documented. After a legendary college career at Iowa, where she became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and routinely packed arenas across the country, she entered the WNBA in 2024 with the Indiana Fever amid unprecedented hype. That hype quickly translated into real-world impact.

 

In her rookie season, Clark became the face of the league — not just through her playmaking and scoring abilities, but through the attention she brought with her. The Fever played in 14 of the 15 most-watched games in the WNBA last season. Clark drew massive television audiences, sold out arenas, and redefined what mainstream appeal could look like for women’s basketball.

 

She shattered the WNBA All-Star voting record, had multiple regular season games broadcast in primetime, and even sparked debates in boardrooms about increased league investment. Her mere presence shifted the visibility of women’s basketball from niche to national. She became a household name.

 

So when TIME released its list on April 16 and Clark was nowhere to be found — not in the “Icons” section, not among “Pioneers,” not even as a “Titan” of the sports world — the response was swift and fierce.

 

 

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Fans, Experts, and Celebrities Speak Out

 

Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd did not hold back: “That’s idiotic! That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen! That’s a dumb list… she’s the most influential athlete, I would argue, man or woman, in America over the last year.” His comments have since gone viral, amassing millions of views online.

 

On social media, fans echoed similar sentiments:

 

“Caitlin Clark changed the way the country views women’s basketball. You can’t tell me that’s not influential.”

 

“TIME had her as Athlete of the Year and now she’s not even top 100? Make it make sense.”

 

“The disrespect is real. This woman is selling out NBA arenas and you’re telling me she’s not influential?”

 

 

Even those outside the basketball world chimed in. Cultural commentators and celebrity influencers questioned what kind of message is being sent to young women and girls — that even after shattering glass ceilings and redefining an entire sport, recognition still isn’t guaranteed.

 

 

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Rethinking What “Influence” Means

 

This uproar has sparked deeper conversations about the metrics of influence. Is it measured by social media followers? Political involvement? Entrepreneurial ventures? Or does reenergizing a major professional sports league, inspiring millions, and commanding unprecedented national attention count?

 

TIME’s list did include WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier — not for their on-court play, but for their roles in launching “Unrivaled,” a new professional women’s basketball league set to debut in 2025. While their efforts are undeniably important for the future of women’s sports, critics argue that Clark’s influence has been both immediate and seismic.

 

“There’s no doubt that Stewart and Collier are doing important work, but if we’re talking about sheer cultural relevance, Clark is in another stratosphere right now,” said one sports editor from a major national outlet. “She’s not just part of the conversation — she is the conversation.”

 

 

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The Race and Gender Lens

 

Clark herself has addressed some of the complex dynamics surrounding her popularity. As a white athlete in a league predominantly made up of Black women, she has acknowledged the privileges that may have contributed to her media attention. She has also publicly supported her fellow players, using her platform to advocate for equity in sports and better conditions across the board.

 

This context adds another layer to the debate. Some observers have noted that media narratives around influence often underplay or overlook Black athletes who have long carried the WNBA and women’s college basketball. However, they argue, leaving Clark off the list doesn’t correct that imbalance — it only introduces a new one.

 

“She’s the biggest reason the WNBA is everywhere right now,” said one fan on X. “Recognize all the women who made this possible, yes. But don’t erase the one who brought it to the front page of every paper.”

 

 

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What’s Next for Clark?

 

Despite the snub, Clark continues to focus on what she does best: playing basketball and drawing the eyes of the world to the game she loves. The Indiana Fever are poised for a breakout year, with Clark at the helm, and tickets to her games are already among the most sought-after in the league.

 

Her next nationally televised game is expected to break even more records, and her endorsement portfolio continues to grow — from Nike to Gatorade to State Farm. Clark is not just influencing a sport; she’s helping change how society views female athletes altogether.

 

 

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Final Thoughts

 

Whether or not she made TIME’s list, Caitlin Clark’s impact is undeniable. She’s the rare kind of athlete whose influence extends far beyond stats and box scores. She has inspired a generation, captivated a nation, and changed the landscape of professional sports — perhaps more than anyone else in recent memory.

 

In that sense, Clark may not need a magazine to tell the world she’s influential. The sold-out arenas, millions of viewers, and passionate global fanbase are doing that just fine.