The sun shone gently through the trees, casting a warm glow on the cobblestone streets of a city savoring a slower pace than usual. Caitlin Clark, one of the most celebrated basketball stars in the world, had decided to take a break from the spotlight. Dressed casually in a checkered shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap, she sought the rare luxury of anonymity.
Caitlin stopped in front of a small café called Cozy Brew, drawn by its inviting charm. As she entered, the soft jingle of the bell overhead announced her arrival. Inside, polished wooden tables and the smooth hum of jazz music created a comforting atmosphere. Patrons glanced up briefly, unaware that one of the most famous athletes in the country had just walked in.
Caitlin settled at a table by the window, savoring the tranquility of the moment. She ordered a black coffee and a slice of apple pie, leaning back in her chair and reflecting on her life. “Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I weren’t Caitlin Clark,” she mused, sipping her coffee. Little did she know, her peaceful morning was about to take an unexpected turn.
Suddenly, the café door swung open, and five men in black leather jackets strode in, their presence instantly shifting the atmosphere. The leader, Roy, spotted Caitlin and approached her table with a mocking grin. “Well, well, look what we have here,” he sneered, picking up her slice of pie. Caitlin remained calm, her voice steady as she replied, “If you’ve picked it up, then eat it. But remember, it’s not free.”
Roy’s amusement faltered, and the tension in the café thickened. Just as the situation escalated, Anna, a young waitress, stepped forward. “Stop it! No one is allowed to harass our customers here,” she said, her voice trembling but resolute. The room fell silent, all eyes on her as she stood up to the intimidating group.
Roy laughed derisively, but Anna stood her ground. “This is a café, not a place for trouble. If you want to order something, I’ll be happy to serve you. But if you keep disturbing other customers, I’ll have to ask you to leave.” The tension was palpable, and just as it seemed the situation would erupt, the sound of police sirens pierced the air outside.
Two officers entered, their calm demeanor contrasting with the chaos that had unfolded. They quickly assessed the situation, and one of the more aggressive bikers was handcuffed and escorted out. As the remaining bikers left, the atmosphere in the café shifted from fear to relief.
Caitlin approached Anna, her voice warm and sincere. “Thank you for what you did today. Not everyone has the courage to stand up for what’s right.” Anna blinked in surprise, her heart racing. Caitlin continued, “I’d like to offer you an opportunity to join my initiative, Hope for Families. You can keep standing up for what you believe in on a much larger scale.”
Anna was taken aback. “I never expected anything like this,” she stammered, overwhelmed by the offer. Caitlin smiled gently, encouraging her. “Sometimes all the world needs is for someone to stand up at the right moment. You did just that.”
As Caitlin left the café, the remaining customers began to look at Anna differently. Whispers of admiration replaced the earlier criticism. Mr. Smith, the café owner, approached Anna, his expression filled with remorse. “I owe you an apology. I didn’t see the courage in what you did. I’m proud to have you here.”
The following week, Anna left her position at the café to join Caitlin’s initiative, channeling her passion for justice into meaningful work. Her story began to spread, inspiring others to act with courage and integrity. Through it all, Caitlin remained by her side, a constant reminder that even the smallest actions can have the greatest impact.
Caitlin Clark should not have been singled out by Time, says Washington Mystics owner Sheila Johnson
Sheila Johnson, billionaire co-owner of WNBA franchise Washington Mystics, has criticized Time for its awarding of “Athlete of the Year” to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
On Tuesday, the outlet bestowed the honor on the 22-year-old after her stellar year, in which she broke multiple college, WNBA and broadcast records.
However, in an interview with CNN Sport, the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) suggested that the media should do a better job of promoting all the leagues’ players, rather than focusing on Clark’s exploits.
Johnson questioned why the publication “couldn’t have put the whole WNBA on that cover,” given the talent the league possesses.
“When you just keep singling out one player, it creates hard feelings,” added Johnson, co-owner of three Washington sports franchises – the NHL’s Capitals, the NBA’s Wizards and the WNBA’s Mystics.
“This year, something clicked with the WNBA and it’s because of the draft of players that came in. It’s not just Caitlin Clark, it’s (Angel) Reese (as well). We have so much talent out there.”
In her debut season with the Indiana Fever, Clark took home the Rookie of the Year award and was named to the All-WNBA first team – the first rookie to do so since 2008.
Her maiden season has also coincided with an unprecedented increase in coverage of the league, with viewership numbers consistently broken.
The league’s overall attendance increased by 48% year-on-year to its highest level in over 20 years; this phenomenon has been coined “The Caitlin Clark effect.”
A side effect of Clark’s success has been an increase in commercial deals, which Johnson says may create ill will among Clark’s counterparts.
Notably, Clark reportedly agreed to an eight-year deal with Nike worth $28 million that includes a signature shoe. This has prompted criticism from some quarters that her race has partly contributed to her commercial success, given other Black stars have not received deals on the same level.
“They would like to get the same kind of recognition. It all started with the whole Nike sponsorship that Caitlin got,” Johnson, America’s first Black woman billionaire, said.
“There are other players saying, ‘What about us?’”
Caitlin Clark guards Angel Reese at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 1.
Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire/AP/File
On-court rivalry
In September, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert compared their rivalry to that of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird’s in the late 1970s and 1980s. That was an era which came to define the NBA for a period, but the narrative was one that often delineated along racial lines, by pitting a Black man and White man against each other.
Asked whether such comparisons could be drawn between Clark and Reese, and whether it was a good thing for the league, Sheila Johnson told CNN: “I think the media has got to be very, very careful to not make this a race issue, and that’s what’s really important.”
She later added: “I’m concerned about the infighting and the racial innuendos going on because that’s going to turn advertisers away from us.”
Clark is aware of the preferential treatment she may have received because of her race. In her Time interview, she stated: “I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a White person, there is privilege.
“A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them. The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important.
“I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
Sheila Johnson said Clark should not have felt the need to approach the topic, but “I applaud her for saying it.”
“We have got to work together because the WNBA is at an inflection point where we’re really starting to go up, and I don’t want to lose that momentum,” she added.
