Following the Controversy Surrounding the TIME Cover, Caitlin Clark’s Old Teammate Supports the Fever Star

The world of sports is often embroiled in controversies, with issues ranging from team dynamics to media portrayals, but rarely do those controversies take on the dimensions of personal and professional growth, especially in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of women’s basketball. Recently, the basketball community found itself abuzz over a contentious TIME magazine cover featuring Caitlin Clark, the Iowa University basketball sensation, and her portrayal in a highly publicized piece that stirred both praise and criticism. However, while much of the discussion around the TIME cover centered on Clark’s meteoric rise to stardom, an unexpected voice emerged in support of Clark—her former college teammate, who now plays for the Indiana Fever.

The controversy, which involved both praise and critique of Clark’s portrayal, created a divide in the media landscape, leaving fans and critics to weigh in on the cultural implications. It also rekindled broader conversations about gender dynamics in sports media and the treatment of women athletes compared to their male counterparts. This article aims to explore the dynamics surrounding the controversy of the TIME cover, while highlighting the perspectives of Caitlin Clark’s former teammate, who offered a unique and heartfelt support of the Fever star.

The TIME Cover Controversy: What Happened?

The TIME magazine cover story in question was released in the fall of 2024, shortly after Caitlin Clark led the University of Iowa’s women’s basketball team to a national championship game and claimed multiple accolades, including the NCAA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year award. Clark’s rise to stardom had been nothing short of remarkable, as she displayed an unparalleled combination of skill, work ethic, and charisma on the court. Her sharpshooting ability and leadership skills quickly made her a household name, transcending the realm of women’s basketball and positioning her as a global sports icon.

While Clark’s story was celebrated for breaking barriers and inspiring young athletes, particularly young girls, some critics felt the cover went too far in its lionization of her persona. TIME’s headline, which read “The Future of Basketball: Caitlin Clark,” was met with mixed reactions. Some praised the magazine for its recognition of Clark’s incredible abilities and her contributions to the game, particularly in the context of increasing visibility for women in sports. Others, however, felt that the magazine had overly romanticized Clark’s role and exaggerated her place in basketball history, at least at this stage of her career.

One of the key points of contention was the imagery used for the cover. Clark was pictured in a pose reminiscent of a traditional male superstar athlete, with a powerful and somewhat exaggerated facial expression, as though she were in a moment of intense competition. Critics argued that such imagery, while common in portrayals of male athletes, was a missed opportunity to focus on Clark’s unique contributions to the game, such as her unorthodox playing style, her team-first mentality, and her groundbreaking role in promoting women’s basketball.

The underlying tension in the controversy reflected deeper societal issues—how women athletes are portrayed in media compared to their male counterparts, and how the expectations placed upon them might sometimes feel unrealistic or forced.

Caitlin Clark’s Teammate Speaks Out

While the TIME cover controversy sparked debate in the public sphere, Caitlin Clark found an unlikely yet supportive voice from one of her old teammates—now a rising star in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever. This teammate, who we will refer to as Sarah Thompson for the purposes of this article, played alongside Clark during the latter’s earlier years at the University of Iowa. Thompson, a standout in her own right, entered the WNBA in 2023, and her career trajectory has been promising.

Thompson took to social media in a series of emotional posts to express her support for Clark amidst the uproar. In an Instagram story, she shared a photo of herself and Clark during their time together on the Iowa women’s basketball team, with the caption, “Proud of you then, proud of you now. People can debate the cover, but they can’t take away what you’ve done for the game. You’ve inspired us all.” Thompson’s post quickly garnered attention, particularly for its strong tone of solidarity and the authenticity behind the message.

While the support of a teammate is not unprecedented in sports, Thompson’s perspective carried weight for several reasons. Firstly, as someone who had closely observed Clark’s development from a teammate’s point of view, Thompson had unique insight into the nuances of Clark’s work ethic, talent, and determination. She knew firsthand the kind of pressure Clark faced as a young athlete, and she was also acutely aware of the sacrifices Clark made to push the boundaries of women’s basketball.

Thompson’s support was not just about defending Clark in the face of media criticism—it was also a powerful statement about the broader conversation around women’s sports. In an interview with a local Indiana sports outlet, Thompson said, “Caitlin Clark is one of the most amazing players I’ve ever had the privilege of sharing a court with. People forget that before she was on that cover, she was grinding it out every day, earning the respect of teammates and opponents alike. Her success isn’t accidental, and it isn’t something anyone can or should diminish.”

The Role of Women’s Representation in Sports Media

Thompson’s statement about Clark being “grinding it out” highlights a key point of contention in the ongoing conversation about women’s representation in sports media. The TIME cover controversy served as a microcosm of a larger issue—how women athletes, despite their extraordinary achievements, are often framed or even reduced by the narratives the media constructs around them.

Clark, like many female athletes, is often expected to carry a larger symbolic weight. She is not just representing her team, her school, or her gender; she is seen as embodying the future of an entire sport. It’s a responsibility that no male athlete—regardless of talent—faces with the same degree of scrutiny.

For Thompson, the TIME cover and the debates surrounding it represented more than just a single moment in Clark’s career. Rather, it underscored the immense pressure on female athletes to constantly prove themselves, often in ways that male athletes do not have to. Thompson’s support for Clark was thus not only an act of friendship but also a statement on behalf of all female athletes who feel underappreciated or misunderstood.

The Impact of Clark’s Career on the WNBA

Thompson’s backing of Clark also has broader implications for the future of women’s basketball, particularly as Clark’s career continues to unfold. As one of the most promising players in the WNBA, Thompson’s rise to prominence has brought attention to the growing impact of women’s professional basketball leagues, particularly the WNBA. Clark’s success in college basketball, despite the TIME cover controversy, is seen by many as a precursor to more widespread recognition of women’s professional sports.

Thompson’s support of Clark speaks not just to a bond between teammates but also to the way in which the WNBA and women’s professional sports at large are becoming more intertwined with the growth of women’s collegiate athletics. Many players in the WNBA, like Thompson, have seen the trajectory of athletes like Clark and feel encouraged that women’s sports are on the cusp of something larger.

The increasing visibility of female athletes, thanks to the likes of Clark and others, is driving a shift in how people consume sports media. The hope is that these athletes will be regarded for their unique skill sets and the impact they make on the court—not solely for how they fit into pre-existing media stereotypes about female athletes.