Colin Cowherd Blasts Time Magazine Over Caitlin Clark Snub: “The List is Nonsense”
Caitlin Clark has become the face of a new era in women’s basketball, electrifying the WNBA and bringing unprecedented attention to the league. But despite her historic rookie season, she was nowhere to be found on Time Magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential People—and sports commentator Colin Cowherd is not having it.
The Indiana Fever star had a rookie campaign for the ages in 2024. Not only did Clark unanimously win WNBA Rookie of the Year, but she also led the Fever to their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade. Her presence sparked an undeniable surge in viewership, fan engagement, and cultural conversation around women’s basketball. For many, her omission from Time’s influential list isn’t just surprising—it’s infuriating.
One of the most vocal critics of the snub was FS1’s Colin Cowherd, who didn’t hold back on his show.
“How is Caitlin Clark not in this?” Cowherd asked, visibly frustrated. “Caitlin Clark goes to the WNBA and they set all-time ratings records. If she’s not on this list, the list is nonsense.”
Cowherd’s argument isn’t just rooted in emotion—it’s backed by numbers. According to The Wall Street Journal’s Rachel Bachman, the WNBA saw double-digit growth across every major demographic in 2024, with the most notable spikes coming from young viewers, male viewers, and white audiences. That kind of demographic shift is rare and signals a cultural breakthrough that few athletes achieve—especially in their rookie season.
Cowherd went a step further by comparing Clark’s impact to other generational icons in sports history, such as Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. Like them, he argued, Clark didn’t just excel on the court—she changed the game itself. By drawing in new audiences and raising the league’s visibility, she elevated women’s basketball in a way that transcends typical rookie accomplishments.
“The Time list is about influence, not just popularity,” Cowherd emphasized. “And Clark is the most influential athlete in her sport right now.”
While Clark hasn’t commented publicly on the snub, the debate has ignited a larger conversation about how we define influence in sports—and whether groundbreaking female athletes are being given their due recognition.
One thing is clear: Caitlin Clark’s impact is impossible to ignore, even if Time chose to overlook it.