Indiana Fever fans will see Caitlin Clark back in action on their TVs sooner than they think... though not exactly in the way that they're used to. This week the NBA announced Clark will join the hosts of "Sunday Night Basketball" on NBC this weekend when the Los Angeles Lakers meet the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Clark will also join the team at NBC on March 29, when the Knicks meet the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Clark will join the program as a "special contributor" and will work alongside host Maria Taylor and analysts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady as they offer pregame commentary.
Sam Flood, the executive producer of NBC Sports, explained in a statement, "There’s no more iconic figure in basketball in the women’s game right now, or the game in general. So, we said, ‘let’s have a bigger conversation."
Clark also issued her own statement: "I’m really excited to be part of the Basketball Night in America crew this season. Carmelo, Vince, and Tracy are legends of the game and Maria is a true professional. It will be really fun to join them a few times this season.”
Caitlin Clark has a preexisting relationship with NBC
As several outlets have noted, Clark's foray into pregame broadcasting and analysis is likely linked to her preexisting endorsement deal with Xfinity, which she signed in March 2024.
Clark also has plenty of experience being on TV in a variety of capacities. Obviously, she and the Fever are regularly featured on TV during games, and she's had plenty of media exposure since college, if not before.
The Indiana Fever are supposed to begin the 2026 season on May 9
Of course, this isn't exactly the way that most Fever fans want to see Clark back on their screens. The WNBA and the WNBPA are still in negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, and both parties have agreed to a moratorium on league business until the CBA is signed. This means there isn't a clear understanding of when the 2026 WNBA season will begin.
Like the rest of the league, the Fever announced the team's 2026 schedule last week. The Fever is set to make their 2026 debut against the Dallas Wings on May 9. The team will host WNBA newcomers the Portland Fire on May 20, and then will travel to Portland to meet the team for a second time on May 30.