WNBA: SEP 25 Playoffs First Round Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun - Source: Getty — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell clarifies Caitlin Clark’s involvement in NFL event (Getty image)

"She’s already an icon" - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell clarifies Caitlin Clark’s involvement in NFL event

Modified Apr 02, 2025 01:01 GMT

Caitlin Clark and Serena Williams participated in an NFL panel this past weekend to share their perspectives on the growth of women’s sports. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a press conference Tuesday that the league invited them and the rest of the panel in an attempt to understand the needed contributions to grow women's sports.

He called Clark "iconic" already with just one professional season under her belt. He emphasized how the NFL and its owners are looking to further invest in women's sports and how having transcendent athletes like Clark and Williams provides valuable perspective.

“We’re always looking for perspective,” Goodell said (per Indy Star). “We have owners that are investing in sports, particularly in women’s sports."

"(Clark's) already an icon at a very young age. She was sitting there with the GOAT, Serena, who understands, not just women’s sports, but she understands business. … I think both of their perspectives were really valuable for ownership to understand and really learn from them.”

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Clark and Williams were joined by two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning during the panel, which was hosted by Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments.

"We all got a chance to ask questions and that's what we're here for," Goodell added. "We're here to learn. We're here to evaluate everything we do and try to figure out a way to do it better. I think hearing from those two in particular ...it really brought to light a lot of the things we're all thinking of as a league."

The NFL owners' meeting concluded Tuesday after a three-day event in Palm Beach, Florida. Topics included the growth of women’s sports, discussions about banning the “tush push” play, and potential changes to how the league will handle the chain crew for the upcoming season.

Clark, meanwhile, will return to training as she prepares for her second season with the Indiana Fever.

Caitlin Clark hoping to take next step in iconic career

The Indiana Fever have retooled this offseason in hopes of making a deeper playoff run. Last year, Clark and Aliyah Boston led the Fever back to the postseason for the first time since 2016, but they fell to the Connecticut Sun in the first round.

Since the start of the offseason, Indiana has hired former WNBA Coach of the Year and Sun head coach Stephanie White to take over at the helm. The Fever also signed DeWanna Bonner, who spent the last five seasons in Connecticut, and added veterans Sydney Colson, Natasha Howard and Sophie Cunningham.

The reigning All-WNBA First Team selection and Rookie of the Year will begin her second season on May 17, when the Fever open against rival Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky.

About the author

Serenity Bishop is a WNBA Expert and Correspondent at Sportskeeda with over eight years of experience in the field.

He is originally from Long Island and moved to Connecticut shortly after graduating from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism. Serenity began his career covering high school sports before advancing to cover UConn Basketball and the WNBA.

Serenity's favorite team is the LA Lakers because he is a massive Lebron James fan. Aside from James, Serenity's favorite basketball names are Allen Iverson, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Tracy McGrady. Those five players made him fall in love with the game.

Serenity is the youngest of five siblings and enjoys watching sports, reading about history, traveling and watching Marvel movies.

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