**Caitlin Clark Snubbed from Time’s Most Influential List Despite Stellar Year**
Caitlin Clark was notably absent from Time Magazine’s recently released list of The 100 Most Influential People of 2025, despite being named the publication’s Athlete of the Year for 2024. The list, unveiled on Wednesday, included other prominent athletes such as WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Naphisa Collier, who were recognized for co-founding the new “Unrivaled” women’s basketball league. Other notable figures on the list included U.S. gymnast Simone Biles, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, and French Olympic gold medalist swimmer Leon Marchand.
Clark’s omission has sparked significant backlash from fans and commentators alike. Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd voiced his frustration during his show, stating, “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.” Many social media users echoed Cowherd’s sentiments, questioning how Clark could be overlooked given her impact on the sport.
Over the past year, Clark has played a pivotal role in elevating the popularity of women’s basketball. In her rookie season with the Indiana Fever, she led the team to become the most-watched in the WNBA, with all 14 of the season’s most-viewed games featuring the Fever. She also set a record for the most All-Star votes in WNBA history.
In a standout game in early September, Clark’s Fever attracted 1.26 million viewers against the Minnesota Lynx, competing with an NFL game. Her regular-season finale against the Washington Mystics drew a record crowd of 20,711 fans, marking the highest attendance for a WNBA regular-season game. Clark’s playoff debut against the Connecticut Sun garnered 1.84 million viewers, and her subsequent Game 2 attracted an impressive 2.54 million viewers.
However, following the conclusion of Clark’s season, the WNBA playoffs experienced a significant decline in viewership. The first playoff game between the Aces and Liberty, a rematch of the previous year’s finals, drew only 929,000 viewers, a stark contrast to the Fever’s playoff numbers.
As Clark continues to make waves in women’s basketball, her influence remains undeniable, raising questions about the criteria for recognition in influential lists.
**FAQ**
**Why was Caitlin Clark not included in Time’s Most Influential list?**
Caitlin Clark was omitted from Time Magazine’s list despite her significant impact on women’s basketball, leading to widespread criticism and questions about the selection criteria.