Caitlin Clark could be at the center of the biggest story in women’s basketball this fall. With the WNBA and its players’ union still unable to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement, a lockout is on the table as the October 31 deadline draws closer.
Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry believes Clark should look out for herself if that day comes. On his Big Shot Bob podcast, Horry pointed back to Michael Jordan’s move in the early 1990s as a model the Indiana Fever star might want to copy.
“If I’m Caitlin Clark, I want my image and likeness like Jordan did back in the day. Then I’m like, ‘the rest of y’all, figure it out,’” Horry said (30:34).
In 1992, Jordan famously pulled out of the NBPA’s shared licensing program, choosing to retain total control over his name, image, and likeness. That decision built the foundation for the Jordan Brand empire.
Horry suggested Caitlin Clark could do the same—especially now, as the most marketable figure in the league. By protecting her financial interests, she could stay insulated from whatever fallout comes with stalled CBA talks.
“They can be very fickle”: Robert Horry warns Caitlin Clark and the WNBA on lockout implications
At the same time, Horry warned that Caitlin Clark and the rest of the WNBA must weigh the risks of a lockout.
“I hope they don’t go into a lockout because … don’t do that (squash the momentum) right now. You all are at the pinnacle of your game, and you know how fans are. They can be very fickle,” he said.
That momentum has been undeniable. Over the past two years, Caitlin Clark’s arrival and the buzz around 2025 No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers have fueled record ticket sales and TV ratings. The WNBA has never drawn this level of attention.
But as Horry pointed out, a lockout could undo much of that progress. For him, the advice is simple: Caitlin Clark should guard her brand, and the league as a whole should guard its fans.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
