WNBA champion Lexie Brown opens up on 'culture shift' since Caitlin Clark's arrival
WNBA champion Lexie Brown discussed the significant changes in the league's culture and visibility since Caitlin Clark's debut in 2024. She credited Clark and the 2024 draft class for driving record viewership, sold-out arenas, and increased financial growth. Brown also acknowledged ongoing challenges, including physical play toward rookies and her own health struggles, while emphasizing a growing respect for players as professional athletes.
- ▪Lexie Brown won a WNBA championship with the Chicago Sky in 2021 and has played in the league since 2018.
- ▪Brown attributes the WNBA's recent surge in popularity and financial success to Caitlin Clark's arrival and the 2024 draft class.
- ▪Despite injuries and Crohn's Disease limiting her play since 2024, Brown has observed the cultural and competitive shifts in the league firsthand.
- ▪She acknowledged instances of excessive physicality toward rookies but noted such challenges are common across leagues.
- ▪Brown referenced suffering a concussion earlier in her career as an example of the physical risks players face.
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OutKick WNBA champion Lexie Brown opens up on 'culture shift' since Caitlin Clark's arrival Seattle Storm guard credits Clark's 2024 class for record-breaking viewership, sold-out arenas and financial growth By Jackson Thompson OutKick Published May 1, 2026 8:04am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video WNBA champion opens up on Caitlin Clark's impact on the league Seattle Storm player Lexie Brown spoke about how the WNBA has changed since Caitlin Clark's debut in 2024. Seattle Storm player Lexie Brown has been in the WNBA since 2018, and won a championship with the Chicago Sky in 2021. In recent years, she's taken notice of how the culture and image of the WNBA has changed since Caitlin Clark's arrival in 2024.
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