It’s been just two seasons (one and a half in reality) that Caitlin Clark took the WNBA court and has already broken multiple records, earning numerous accolades and honors in the process. In 2024, she was TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year and the first WNBA player to win the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award.
The Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White called Clark’ Taylor Swift 2.0‘ over her growing popularity, and now Forbes’ current ranking highlights how influential the 23-year-old guard is.
Caitlin Clark Earns Top Spot As Most Powerful Female Athlete In The USA
Forbes released a list of the most powerful women in the USA, where New Orleans Pelicans owner Gayle Benson earns the top spot with $ 7.9 billion net worth. Among the list, the Fever guard earned the fourth spot and is the top-ranked athlete.
The list wrote, “Caitlin Clark has turned her record-breaking college basketball career into early dominance in the WNBA. Her estimated $8.1 million in income from her rookie season with the Indiana Fever was bolstered by big deals with Nike, Wilson and Gatorade and signals a shift in how female athletes are being valued in the world of professional sports.”
While this is the first time Forbes has created this list, placing the player at the top highlights her potential to rise among the best in the world.
Caitlin Clark is named on Forbes Americas Most Powerful 25 Woman in Sports list🥹
— Krys🫶🏼 (@GaterGoggles) October 22, 2025
#4 Caitlin Clark Guard, Indiana Fever Athletes
Caitlin Clark has turned her record-breaking college basketball career into early dominance in the WNBA. Her estimated $8.1 million in income from… pic.twitter.com/vmJy20MR5D
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While the player sat out for most of the 2025 season due to injury, CC has become a defining figure in women’s sports, influencing both the commercial and cultural dimensions of the WNBA. The star is the only player in the top five of the list, with Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier taking ninth place, and Serena Williams occupying eleventh place in the list.
Coco Gauff (13th) and A’ja Wilson (15th) also make the list, highlighting the influence of women athletes on their fan bases, as well as their success in their respective sports.
Caitlin Clark Makes WCBB First Team
The star remains a top player from college days. Even though she hasn’t won any NCAA Championship, the Iowa guard earned a place in the AP’s All-Time WCBB First Team. She joins players like Breanna Stewart, who has won four titles, three-time champion Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, and Cheryl Miller, who have each won two championships.
With other players on the second team also holding multiple titles, WNBA fans took a subtle jab at haters after Caitlin Clark’s inclusion in the AP Women’s Basketball All-Time team. The star humbly accepted the honor and reacted to the news.
“Being named an AP All-American is one of the most storied honors in college sports. It means a lot to be named to this all-time list alongside players I looked up to. It’s fun to think about what it would have been like if we all played together,” Clark said.
Caitlin Clark will be eager to get back on the floor after missing a large portion of the 2025 season.