Indiana Fever fans are getting their first taste of Caitlin Clark back on television sooner than expected, but she won’t be dressing with her teammates for the occasion.
The NBA announced that Clark will join NBC as a special contributor on Sunday Night Basketball, marking another milestone in what has already been a rapid rise from college phenom to professional superstar.
Rather than lighting up defenses on the court, Clark will lend her voice and expertise to the broadcast alongside host Maria Taylor and analysts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady.
Her debut is scheduled for February 1, when the New York Knicks host the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden, one of the NBA’s most iconic stages.
NBC also revealed that Clark will return to the show on March 29, when the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder host the Knicks at Paycom Center.
For Clark, the opportunity is one she’s embracing enthusiastically as she continues to expand her footprint beyond the WNBA.
“I’m really excited to be part of the ‘Basketball Night in America’ crew this season,” Caitlin Clark said.
“Carmelo [Anthony], Vince [Carter], and Tracy [McGrady] are legends of the game, and Maria [Taylor] is a true professional. It will really be fun to join them a few times this season.”
From rookie star to national broadcaster
While Clark‘s NBC role is limited in scope, its cultural impact has already been massive.
Almost immediately after the announcement, fans took to social media to draw comparisons between Clark and Michael Jordan – not as players, but as analysts tied to NBC’s NBA coverage.
“The only way they could replace Michael Jordan as their contributor is with Caitlin Clark. My GOAT,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Caitlin Clark will be on NBC more than Michael Jordan.”
Those reactions stem from lingering frustration over NBC’s much-hyped deal with Jordan for its 2025 NBA coverage.
When NBC Sports announced it had secured Jordan as a contributor, fans expected regular appearances or in-depth analysis from the six-time NBA champion. Instead, the arrangement resulted in just one pre-recorded segment.
Michael Jordan deal disappoints fans
The segment, reportedly filmed over two days, focused on Jordan‘s reflections on the modern NBA. What truly inflamed fan reactions, however, were reports about the financial scale of the deal.
NBC analyst Mike Tirico, who conducted the interview,, later addressed the disappointment in a conversation with Sports Illustrated.
“Was it what everyone wanted? Probably not. Was it better than not hearing from Michael Jordan? You’re damn right it was,” Tirico said.
“And if we get another shot at it, will I be more than excited to be a part of it? You bet ya.”
One fan summed up the sentiment bluntly: “Hope Caitlin Clark gets that Michael Jordan money… still laughing at NBC paying Jordan 8 figures just for one interview…”
For Clark, the comparison demonstrates how quickly she has become a central figure in basketball culture.
Even in a limited television role, Clark’s presence is already driving conversation and ratings intrigue.
As she balances her responsibilities with the Fever and her growing media profile, NBC’s decision to feature her says a lot about how they see her as a defining voice of the sport.
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