The WNBA, and those who write and read about the league, has floated the possibility of playing games overseas for years. The league took a step in that direction this season by hosting several games in various cities across Canada, but has yet to take the next step of actually traveling overseas to take on one another — or even European teams.
The league could also continue its international expansion. It would make sense to have at least one other WNBA team in Canada, and Mexico is easy to travel to and attached to the United States. There could also be new franchises in countries throughout Europe, Asia, or Africa.
Caitlin Clark was asked about the possibility of the WNBA going international while playing against the Toronto Tempo this week, and she threw her support fully behind the idea. Clark, who just returned home after helping Team USA win a gold medal at the FIBA World Cup this month, said that she's no stranger to international basketball (the Fever has previously played games in the United States against national teams from countries such as Brazil) and would welcome to chance to play more of it.
She also told reporters that seeing her fellow WNBA players represent their home countries was special, and made it clear how important the international community is for everyone in the WNBA. As she put it, "So it was really fun for myself to play international basketball and I think one of the biggest things I took away is how much pride those girls play with, especially the ones that are in the WNBA going to play for their home country, whether it was Andalusini, whether it was the girls that play for the French national team, whether it's the Spaniards."
Clark pointed out that the Tempo's head coach Sandy Brondello is from Australia, and said that it's "really cool" that "they've done so much to help grow the game and their specific countries." Clark also said that it was "amazing" for the United States' national team to have the chance to play in Europe.
Clark's words carry a lot of weight in the WNBA — something that is true for other players, coaches, teams, and fans. If she enthusiastically supports the idea of WNBA teams traveling overseas, or even of franchises starting up in other countries, then it's something that may be taken even more seriously than it already is. That's not to say that she determines any kind of decision the league could make, but simply that people who enjoy the WNBA take her words pretty seriously, and may come around to the idea of watching games being played overseas if she's behind it.
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