'On Her Game' is Christine Brennan's portrait of basketball star Caitlin Clark

Summary

NPR's Book of the Day: Detailed Summary of 'On Her Game'

Episode Title: "On Her Game"

Host: Scott Simon

Author Featured: Christine Brennan

Book Discussed: On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports

Release Date: July 31, 2025

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1. Introduction to Caitlin Clark's Stardom

The episode begins with host Scott Simon introducing Caitlin Clark, a prominent figure in sports whose influence transcends traditional athletic boundaries. Known for her exceptional basketball skills, Clark has captivated audiences beyond sports enthusiasts.

Notable Quote:

"There’s a lesson about being a big fish in a small pond." — Andrew Limbong, [00:02]

2. Caitlin Clark's Early Challenges and Development

Christine Brennan delves into Clark's formative years, highlighting her initial necessity to join a boys' basketball team. This experience not only honed her skills but also instilled resilience, shaping her competitive nature.

Key Points:

• Joining a Boys' Team: Clark's participation in a boys' team exposed her to a more challenging and physically demanding environment.

Notable Quote:

"Boys can be tougher, bigger. As he said, they’re meaner. And they toughened Caitlin Clark up and helped her on her way." — Christine Brennan, [02:23]

3. The Pivotal Decision: Staying with Iowa Over Notre Dame

A significant moment in Clark's career was her decision to attend the University of Iowa instead of Notre Dame. Brennan explains how this choice was instrumental in her rise to stardom, allowing her to flourish in an environment that embraced her unique playing style.

Key Points:

• Notre Dame's Competitive Environment: Had Clark chosen Notre Dame, she would have been part of a more structured system, potentially limiting her individual impact.
• Iowa's Supportive Atmosphere: Coach Lisa Bluder provided Clark with the freedom to express her skills, contributing to her outstanding performances that resonated with fans.

Notable Quote:

"Coach Lisa Bluder let Caitlin Clark be Caitlin Clark. And that meant all the entertaining, amazing shots that Americans fell in love with." — Christine Brennan, [04:27]

4. The Influence of Title IX on Women's Sports

The discussion shifts to the broader societal impact of Title IX, a pivotal law ensuring gender equality in educational programs, including athletics. Brennan underscores how Title IX has paved the way for female athletes like Clark to pursue sports professionally.

Key Points:

• Breaking Barriers: Title IX has empowered generations of women to engage in sports, fostering skills and life lessons such as teamwork and sportsmanship.
• Cultural Shift: The legislation has transformed societal perceptions, making women's sports more accessible and celebrated.

Notable Quote:

"This is the continuation of not just a sports story, Scott, but truly an American cultural story." — Christine Brennan, [04:48]

5. Public Perception and Resentment

Despite Clark's success, Brennan addresses the mixed reactions from the public, including resentment stemming from racial dynamics within the WNBA. She explains that while Clark's prominence has sparked some negative sentiments, it has also shone a light on deserving players who previously lacked recognition.

Key Points:

• Racial Dynamics: The predominance of Black athletes in the WNBA contrasts with Clark's background, leading to complex reactions in a racially polarized society.
• Highlighting Talent: Clark's spotlight brings attention to other talented players who have long been overlooked.

Notable Quote:

"It's a 74% black league. That is understandable in our racially polarized society." — Christine Brennan, [05:37]

6. Caitlin Clark's Appearance on Saturday Night Live

Clark's appearance on Saturday Night Live is highlighted as a significant cultural moment. She used the platform to express gratitude and acknowledge the influence of her Black role models, reinforcing the importance of mentorship and representation.

Key Points:

• Expression of Gratitude: Clark thanked several Black athletes who paved the way for her, emphasizing the interconnectedness of her success with their support.
• Symbolic Moments: The replication of Clark hugging Maya Moore symbolizes the passing of the torch and mutual respect between generations of athletes.

Notable Quote:

"She went into a wonderful little thank you, praising and thanking several players for being her role models." — Christine Brennan, [06:35]

7. Salary Disparities and Economic Realities

Brennan discusses the stark contrast between Clark's relatively modest WNBA salary and her substantial endorsement deals, highlighting the ongoing financial inequalities in women's professional sports compared to men's leagues like the NBA.

Key Points:

• WNBA vs. NBA Salaries: Clark's $78,000 salary contrasts sharply with NBA rookies earning millions, underscoring the economic challenges faced by female athletes.
• Growth and Potential: While the WNBA is experiencing increased interest and higher TV contracts, significant disparities remain, though progress is being made.

Notable Quote:

"The salaries will rise. I would love to say they'll someday be equal. But, Scott, you and I will certainly not live to see that day." — Christine Brennan, [07:36]

8. Broader Impact on Women's Sports

Clark's success serves as a catalyst for the growth and recognition of women's sports across various disciplines. Brennan emphasizes that increased visibility and respect for athletes like Clark are fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all female athletes.

Key Points:

• Changing Attitudes: Former skeptics are now embracing women's sports, evidenced by increased attendance and engagement.
• Expansion of Women's Leagues: Sports such as hockey, softball, and lacrosse are experiencing growth, inspired by the momentum generated by athletes like Clark.

Notable Quote:

"When you have guys who would never give the time of day to women's sports... now they are proudly wearing their number 22 jerseys." — Christine Brennan, [08:35]

9. Conclusion and Future Outlook

The episode concludes with a reflection on Caitlin Clark's significant influence on sports and culture. Christine Brennan asserts that Clark not only elevates women's basketball but also contributes to a broader movement towards equality and recognition in all women's sports.

Notable Quote:

"Caitlin Clark is able to nail those logo threes and bring more people who didn't like women's sports now into the arena." — Christine Brennan, [08:35]

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Overall Summary:

In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, sportswriter Christine Brennan provides an insightful portrait of Caitlin Clark, exploring her journey from a competitive youth athlete to a symbol of progress in women's sports. Through detailed discussions, Brennan highlights the impact of Title IX, the cultural dynamics within the WNBA, and the ongoing struggle for economic equality in professional sports. Clark's story exemplifies how individual excellence can drive broader societal change, inspiring a new generation of female athletes and transforming public perceptions of women's athletics.

Key Takeaways:

• Caitlin Clark's early experiences playing on a boys' team were pivotal in developing her competitive edge.
• Choosing the University of Iowa over Notre Dame allowed Clark to maximize her unique talents.
• Title IX has been instrumental in providing opportunities for women in sports, reflecting a broader cultural shift.
• Clark's success has sparked both admiration and resentment, highlighting racial and gender dynamics in the WNBA.
• Despite significant endorsement deals, financial disparities between women's and men's professional sports persist.
• Clark's influence extends beyond basketball, contributing to the growth and recognition of various women's sports.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions within the episode.

Transcript

[Andrew Limbong]

Hey, it's NPR's Book of the Day. I'm Andrew Limbong. There's a lesson about being a big fish in a small pond. In today's interview, it's with sportswriter Christine Brennan about her new book on her game, which is a look at Caitlin Clark's rise to stardom. I almost just said sports stardom there, but it's clear that she's broken out beyond sports, that she's a known figure even among non sports fans. But there's a moment in her career that could have changed that trajectory. Brandon talks to npr. Scott Simon about Clark almost going to Notre Dame for college instead of Iowa and how that choice set her up for stardom. That's coming up.

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[Scott Simon]

Few names are bigger in sports today than Caitlin Clark. When she played the 2024 NCAA Women's Final for her college team, the Iowa Hawkeyes, the ratings topped the men's final by 4 million viewers. Her regular season games with her pro team, the Indiana Fever average more than a million viewers. Even fans who root for other teams thrill to see Caitlin Clark's long, lofty three point shots. Christine Brennan, the famed sports columnist for USA Today and a frequent commentator, has written a book that looks at the role Caitlin Clark now occupies in US Sports and culture on her game Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports. Christine Brennan joins us now. Christine, thanks so much for being with us.

[Christine Brennan]

Oh, my pleasure, Scott. Thanks for having me. So.

[Scott Simon]

So Caitlin Clark had to join a boys team at first to play basketball.

[Christine Brennan]

Exactly. And of course, that tells you that where we are now with women's sports, we weren't there even in her lifetime. But it helped her because she played against the boys for quite a while. And as her AAU coach told me in the book, boys can be tougher, bigger. As he said, they're meaner. And they toughened Caitlin Clark up and helped her on her way.

[Scott Simon]

Tell us about a call, I guess her parents got from school officials in Saint Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines, Iowa, with concerns the teachers had about young Caitlyn.

[Christine Brennan]

So we know that people get calls and parents all the time about grades or a kid behaving in history class or English or whatever, but it's pretty rare when they're calling about the child's behavior at recess. And that's young Caitlin Clark being too aggressive, being too competitive. As she has said many times now, as an adult, you know, she wants to win at everything. Boys, girls. Nothing phased her confidence galore, even at a very young age. And yeah, she was being told she was being too competitive. Stop beating everybody on the playground.

[Scott Simon]

She got lots of offers from big name basketball schools coming out of West Des Moines. But you conclude she made a wise decision to stay in Iowa. How so?

[Christine Brennan]

Absolutely. I QUOTE Muffett McGraw, the famed Notre Dame coach who actually thought she had her. It was a soft commitment that Caitlin Clark said she was coming to Notre Dame and then she changed her mind. And Muffett McGraw said, had she come to Notre Dame, it would have been a better team, more talented players, because Muffett and Notre Dame were often at the upper echelon of women's basketball and in the Final Four, winning a couple national titles. Well, Caitlin Clark, you know, chucking it from the parking lot, and it's going in, you know, just the amazing high wire act that is Caitlin Clark. That wouldn't have been allowed at Notre Dame because there would have been other players who had passed the ball. You're part of the. The overall machinery of the offense, but you are not. You're not the most important cog. You're just, you know, one piece of it. So the fact she went to Iowa, very good program. They hadn't been into Women's Final Four in a long time, but coach Lisa Bluder let Caitlin Clark be Caitlin Clark. And that meant all the entertaining, amazing shots that Americans fell in love with.

[Scott Simon]

Can we use Caitlin Clark's rise as a measure of the influence of Title IX, that mandated equality for women's sports in schools?

[Christine Brennan]

Absolutely. You know, for generations, we were telling our daughters, our nieces, our granddaughters, no, you cannot play sports. You cannot learn those life lessons. Winning, losing, At a young age, teamwork, sportsmanship and Title ix, this law that mandates equity and equality for women in high school, college sports, it's of course, a law, but it's also a mindset. And to me, that's even more important. Where you expect that your daughter's going to have opportunities. That girl you see in the kitchen every morning or the girl you wave at from the driveway, who's got her her bag with her volleyball gear or soft as she goes off to another game. That doesn't surprise us. And 50 years ago, you never saw that. And if you did, you wondered what was going on. What's that girl doing? You know, this is that continuation of not just a sports story, Scott, but truly an American cultural story.

[Scott Simon]

Christine, some people do seem to resent Caitlin Clark's success. Would that be a fair way to put it?

[Christine Brennan]

We've certainly seen that. Unfortunately, there was, I think, anger, resentment. Why does she get to do this? It's a 74% black league. That is understandable in our racially polarized society. A white woman from Iowa coming in and being the star of a league that never got the attention it deserved. And now this is the one. Of course, as someone who's covered this, the WNBA back to the 90s, you know, you know that that spotlight that is shining on Caitlin Clark now also shines on all those players who deserve the attention that they never got, but they are getting it now. And that certainly is the positive in a conversation that I think will be ongoing as the WNBA works through this.

[Scott Simon]

And I thought when Caitlin Clark made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live, she was very pointed and moving about her feeling of gratitude and debt that she felt she owed.

[Christine Brennan]

Yes, she was. After the requisite jokes with the Weekend Update people. Then she went into a wonderful little thank you, praising and thanking several players for being her role models and paving the way and opening the door for her. And all of those women that she mentioned were black, including the great Maya Moore, who was her hero. And when she was a little girl in Iowa, her dad drove her up three and a half hours to Minneapolis and Caitlin Clark broke away from her dad to hug Maya Moore. And of course, they have now replicated that hug several times as Caitlin has become the superstar. And Maya Moore says, I can't believe that one of the little kids who hugged me turned out to be Caitlin Clark.

[Scott Simon]

Christine, how do we explain that? Caitlin Clark's salary to play for the Indiana Fever is reportedly just $78,000, though her endorsement deal for Nike is, I guess, reportedly worth $28 million. And of course, rookies in the NBA routinely make tens of millions of dollars.

[Christine Brennan]

Well, capitalism. When this story broke, when people were looking at her salary and the top pick in the NBA draft, 57 million. So there's a long way to go. But for years, people were ignoring the wnba. I mean, as I said to folks then, did you buy any tickets? Did you ever watch a game? Did you buy a jersey of a player? Did you take your granddaughter, your niece, to a game? And the answer usually was no, because most Americans weren't paying any attention to the wnba. The income, the interest, the TV dollars. Now they do have a new TV contract that is four times the value of what they've previously had. So the money is starting to come in. The salaries will rise. I would love to say they'll someday be equal. But, Scott, you and I will certainly not live to see that day. No matter if we make it to 110, I think just because the disparity is so great. But moving in the right direction, I think, is also a victory of sorts.

[Scott Simon]

Does the success of Caitlin Clark help women athletes in all sports?

[Christine Brennan]

Absolutely it does, Scott. When you have guys who would never give the time of day to women's sports, who would go on sports talk shows and laugh about women's basketball or other women's sports. Well, those guys that 25, whatever, 30 years ago were laughing about women's basketball, college or pro, those are the guys now that are proudly wearing their number 22 jerseys, not only to games, but also to the grocery store and the gas station. It's those. The holdouts, right? It's maybe some of the guys are, you know, a little bit sexist or a lot sexist who just didn't think it matched up. You know, the women don't dunk. That was a conversation always. They're playing below the rim. Why would anyone watch this compared to men's basketball? Well, now we have our answer. Again, the eyeball she gets. Then everyone sees the WNBA and those people that. Those players that never got the attention they deserve are finally getting it. And other women's sports which are exploding. Women's pro hockey, women's pro softball, women's pro lacrosse, in addition to the more traditional women's sports and the Olympic sports. I do think there's a greater respect every day because Caitlin Clark is able to nail those logo threes and bring more people who didn't like women's sports now into the arena.

[Scott Simon]

Christine Brennan, her new book on the Caitlin Clark explosion on her game. Thanks so much for being with us, Scott.

[Christine Brennan]

Thank you very much.

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