Indiana Fever star and the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark featured on the “New Heights” podcast hosted by NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce. During the lively conversation, Clark discussed her fervor for the Kansas City Chiefs and clarified doubts about her fandom, particularly amid the surge of new supporters following the relationship between Travis Kelce and pop icon Taylor Swift (CNN).

Clark asserted her long-standing dedication to the Chiefs, sharing, “I had family in Kansas City and I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, which is only three hours from Kansas City.” She scoffed at accusations of being a bandwagon fan, emphasizing her family's history of supporting the team before the era of star players like Patrick Mahomes and, of course, Travis Kelce himself. “People think I'm like a bandwagon Chiefs fan... We were ride or dies, so we’ve been big fans,” she said.

Reflecting on her extraordinary first year since departing from the University of Iowa, Clark called her rookie season "life-changing." In just twelve months, she reached the NCAA finals, was drafted first overall, and secured her spot on the esteemed All-WNBA First Team. “Things just change really fast,” she said, highlighting the influence of social media in amplifying her journey (USA Today).

Clark's debut in the WNBA coincided with unprecedented growth in the league, termed “The Caitlin Clark effect,” with viewership records shattered and attendance skyrocketing by 48% from the previous year. Clark, who signed an impressive $28 million deal with Nike, expressed excitement for her upcoming season, having previously felt rushed into the league without the typical preparation time of rookie athletes. “You’re moving in April, you don’t even finish senior year in college,” she remarked.

Amidst her basketball career and rising fame, Clark has also embraced her passion for Taylor Swift's music, saying she transformed her mother's music tastes after taking her to Swift's Eras Tour. “I turned my mom into a full Swiftie now,” she joyfully noted. Their shared love for Swift brought her closer to the Kelce brothers, who are also fans, with Travis being particularly delighted to hear about her devotion.

In conclusion, Caitlin Clark's appearances on the podcast embody her multifaceted journey as a celebrated athlete, devoted Chiefs fan, and now a proud Swiftie, solidifying her place in sports and pop culture.

For more insights from the episode, you can listen to it on USA Today (USA Today).