New World Record for Caitlin Clark as $234,850 Card Sale Edges Her Closer to Serena Williams’ Realm
Unbeatable, unstoppable, and now… a record-breaker once again! Caitlin Clark is rewriting the history books off the court, too. You’d think after a season full of incredible feats, she’d slow down, right? Well, think again! Months after the season ended, she is smashing new milestones, and this time, it’s with a world record.
A one-of-a-kind Caitlin Clark autographed card sold for $234,850 broke the record for the second-highest sale for any women’s sports card. Now, that puts her just behind tennis legend Serena Williams, whose 2003 NetPro Serena Williams autographed patch card fetched $266,400. And while Serena’s still ahead, Clark’s recent sale has definitely placed her in some elite company.
Back in September, another Caitlin Clark card hit the headlines, selling for $84,000. It was the record for the most expensive women’s basketball card ever sold—until now. The card that broke the record is the 1/1 “Blue Viper” variation of her 2024 Panini Instant WNBA Draft card.
This card, printed on demand and only available after the WNBA draft in April, features CC in her Indiana Fever jersey. On draft night, it sold for just $10,000 in a Dutch auction. Now, it has taken quite the jump.
However, the hooper’s goodies have always been in high demand ever since she took the WNBA by storm during her rookie season. Collectors can’t get enough of her, and her items are flying off the shelves. It’s not just her cards, either. Her signed Wilson basketballs have been selling like hotcakes.
Even the jersey sales for the Indiana Fever—her team—have skyrocketed by 1,193% thanks to the Caitlin Clark Effect. But you know what? The W star’s impact goes far beyond basketball, and that’s becoming more and more apparent as time goes on.
Caitlin Clark’s influence reaches soccer fields
A few weeks ago, it was revealed that Caitlin Clark, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, has joined a group bidding for an NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) expansion franchise in Cincinnati. And this isn’t just about her throwing her name out there. She is actively involved.
According to reports, social media posts about the group surged from just 10,000 per day to a jaw-dropping 500,000. That’s a 4900% increase. Her involvement has also impacted the NWSL expansion proposal, which is the only one publicly supported by an MLS club.
The Cincinnati team’s bid includes a new training facility for the women’s team, which will feature three full-size soccer fields and a 30,000-square-foot building. Jeff Berding, a key member of the ownership group, spoke about Caitlin’s influence and how it’s helped raise the profile of their bid.
“She’s very proud to be a part of this effort, and she’s very competitive. She wants to win and see this happen. She’s 100 miles away (with her Indianapolis-based WNBA team,) and she’s going to have a great opportunity to be involved in a meaningful way,” Berding said.
Well, you can see why the 23-year-old guard’s fans call her the ‘most marketable person on this planet’. It’s proving true every day, and she has a long way to go. We’re only just beginning to see what she’s capable of.
