Unfazed With WNBA Takeover, Caitlin Clark Eyes $1 Trillion Industry to Fulfill Childhood Dream

One of the biggest buzzwords of the 2024 WNBA season was undoubtedly “the Caitlin Clark effect.” After scoring more points than any player—male or female—in history, Clark stepped onto the scene with the Indiana Fever, bringing her electrifying style of play to the professional level. Not only did she shatter records, but she also played a significant role in boosting the league’s popularity. Now, with such immense fame, Clark has partnered with several major brands. But the reigning ROTY hasn’t lost sight of her childhood dream: to invest in a trillion-dollar industry.

Recently, Caitlin Clark joined her former Iowa Hawkeyes teammate Jada Gyamfi on her podcast, where they were joined by fellow graduates Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall. As the conversation turned to their aspirations beyond basketball, Clark opened up about a childhood dream she’s eager to pursue.

“You ever seen them put up that like dream thing? You know it was kind of going around it said like ‘play in the WNBA and get a scholarship’. One of them said like ‘own a restaurant’. So one day I have to accomplish that,” the Des Moines native revealed her desire.

With her net worth currently at $3.1 million, it looks like Clark might soon venture into the restaurant industry, a booming market estimated to exceed $1.1 trillion in 2024 by the National Restaurant Association after recording $997 billion last year.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) arrives Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, before a game between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx at Gainbride Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Clark had this dream since childhood which was inspired by a nearby restaurant she frequented while growing up. She even had a name in mind for her future establishment, though she was trying to remember if it’s called The Rib Shack or Rib Crib. “I wanted to have a barbecue. I think it was Rib Crib,” she shared via Taco-Bout Network.

While discussing it, Clark also revealed that she loved cooking and baking growing up. However, the Iowa alumna’s dream remains far as she only plans to tap into that industry once she is done playing. While her dream of owning a restaurant is still a work in progress, there’s no doubt that she has already achieved her goal of making a mark on the professional stage as the reigning Rookie of the Year.

Caitlin Clark achieved the childhood dream of playing in W with a style

“Year one — thank you to the many people who have supported me as I’ve been able to live my childhood dream. I’m filled with gratitude as I reflect on this past year of my life. See you all in year two,” Clark dropped a heartfelt note after her rookie season came to an end. Although the Fever faced an early exit in the first round, she undeniably made her mark by leading the team back to the WNBA playoffs for the first time in eight years.

From the moment she stepped onto the court, the Fever’s #22 made an explosive impact, becoming the first rookie in WNBA history to achieve a triple-double. Clark also distinguished herself by making the most three-pointers ever by a rookie, even surpassing Diana Taurasi’s previous record with an impressive total of 122 three-pointers.

Moreover, the biggest effect she produced was on league’s popularity which resulted in skyrocketing viewership and sold-out arenas. Before 2024, the record for the most-watched WNBA Draft was held by the 2004 event featuring Diana Taurasi, which attracted 600,000 viewers. In contrast, Clark’s draft day drew a staggering 2.45 million viewers, marking a remarkable 374% increase from the previous year.

Her impact lasted long enough till the season concluded. In her final regular-season game against the Washington Mystics, a record-breaking crowd of 20,711 fans filled the stands.

But her aspirations extend beyond the basketball court; she continues to chase her childhood dream of owning a restaurant. With legends like Shaquille O’Neal already making waves in the restaurant industry, Clark might very well follow suit after her playing days—though that day is still quite a way off.