In a bold and attention-grabbing statement, sports commentator Skip Bayless recently compared Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark to none other than basketball legend Michael Jordan. During a segment of The Skip Bayless Show, Bayless acknowledged the seemingly audacious nature of the comparison, admitting it may sound “laughable” to some. Yet, he quickly doubled down, stating that the question is, in fact, not laughable at all.
Bayless elaborated by drawing parallels between the beginning of Jordan’s NBA career in 1984 and Clark’s impact on the WNBA in her debut season. “Michael’s rookie year, he became the show of shows,” Bayless said. “Every town he went to would go crazy for him, and that exactly got duplicated last year by Caitlin Clark.”
While Bayless was quick to clarify that Clark does not possess the explosive athleticism that defined Jordan—“She can’t jump… She’s athletic but not that athletic,” he said—he argued that Clark’s appeal comes from a different place. “What is it about Caitlin Clark? She’s got it.”
The “it” factor, according to Bayless, encompasses Clark’s swagger, toughness, elite court vision, and unparalleled shooting ability. He praised her for making deep three-point shots with a style reminiscent of NBA sharpshooter Stephen Curry, highlighting her exceptional strength and shooting form. “She jump shoots the way Steph does from the logo… She goes up, holds it, and flicks the wrist,” Bayless noted.
Clark’s growing influence on the league has been undeniable. Her presence has led opposing teams to move games to larger venues, and she consistently draws massive crowds. At just 23 years old, Clark is already being heralded not only for her skill but also for her ability to elevate the profile of the WNBA.
Bayless believes that Clark’s impact transcends talent alone. “In impact, she’s already having Michael Jordan impact on the league,” he claimed. “All those [WNBA] stars… they don’t have her impact… They should all get down on their knees every night before they go to bed and thank God for Caitlin Clark. She’s gonna make all of them a whole lot more money.”
Whether one agrees with Bayless or not, his commentary underscores the transformative presence Clark has brought to professional women’s basketball. Her combination of charisma, competitive fire, and groundbreaking play is already shifting the landscape of the WNBA, sparking conversations that suggest she may indeed become a generational figure for the sport—much like Michael Jordan was for the NBA.
