Caitlin Clark addresses if she would ever leave Indiana Fever for WNBA rival

The Indiana Fever will be boosted by the return of Caitlin Clark on Saturday against the New York Liberty and the superstar has also declared she wants to stay with the franchise for her whole career

Caitlin Clark has revealed that she wants to spend her entire WNBA career at the Fever, with the superstar guard professing her love for Indiana.Clark, 23, was drafted by the Fever first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft and carved out an All-Star rookie season, breaking the WNBA single-season assists record with 329 assists, surpassing the previous record set by Alyssa Thomas. The former Iowa superstar also broke the WNBA rookie scoring record, previously held by Seimone Augustus, and fired the Fever to a postseason appearance in her debut campaign.The Fever sits third in the Eastern Conference after nine games, but injuries to Clark and other roster members have mainly hampered their progress. However, after a three-week absence, Clark will be a significant boost for the Fever on Saturday when they take on the defending WNBA champions, the New York Liberty, inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Clark’s love for the Fever and Indiana was evident ahead of Saturday’s WNBA clash. She stated that she intends to stay with the Fever for her entire professional playing career.

Clark’s declaration was a boost for Indiana in the WNBA and the Pacers in the NBA. The all-time NCAA points scorer claimed Tyrese Haliburton would also like to remain in Indianapolis. She made the point at the Pacers’ Game 3 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, which saw the Indiana NBA franchise take a 2-1 lead before losing Game 4.

“Ty and I would both tell you this is where we both hope to stay the rest of our careers,” Clark told ESPN. “People are like, ‘It’s a small market.’ But no, that’s what makes it fun. These people, this is what means the world to them

“We haven’t hosted a Finals game in 25 years, and I’ve never seen this type of excitement. People are lining up three hours before the game. I literally just got the chills thinking about it.

“And they’re the same for the Fever. I think it’s just like [Pacers coach] Rick [Carlisle] said, ‘In 49 other states it’s basketball, but here it’s just really different.’ I’m really fortunate to be able to play here and he’s the same.”

Clark is under contract for three more years with the Fever after signing a four-year, $338,056 rookie deal last year.

Though, when that deal nears its expiration, Clark will likely become one of, if not the most-paid player in the league. Clark already earns a more than handsome sum off the basketball court, being one of the most marketable U.S. sports stars.

Sports personality Colin Cowherd has even tipped Clark to become a billion-dollar athlete. Her impact on the WNBA and the Fever has been extraordinary.

The 2024 Rookie of the Year accounted for 26.5 percent of the WNBA’s economic activity and boosted merchandise sales by 234 percent. Additionally, the Fever were valued at $90 million before Clark’s arrival, and they’re now touted to be worth $340M.

“Her stardom, not slowing down. The Fever averaged more than the Pacers did per game. Throughout the league, if she played in your town, attendance for the league rose 30 percent,” Cowherd sai”LeBron didn’t do that when he went back to Cleveland. He certainly didn’t do it going to Miami or the Lakers. MJ didn’t do that with the Bulls. We’re talking one player. She’s Steve Jobs. She’s taking an insolvent company and turning it into a powerhouse.”