You know something’s up when someone opens with, “Do I get to give you your gift?” It’s the kind of setup that usually ends in a laugh. And for a moment on SiriusXM NBA Radio, it did. But then it didn’t.
Indiana Fever president Kelly Krauskopf had stopped by, arms full of Caitlin Clark merch. Brian “White Mamba” Scalabrine and Frank Isola were ready for a little fun—banter, maybe some inside jokes about Clark’s skyrocketing stardom. Krauskopf didn’t disappoint.
“So, you know, because we know that you are the self-appointed president of the Caitlin Clark fan club…” Krauskopf teased Scalabrine, pulling out not one but two Clark hats—one for each host. Scal lit up: “I got a daughter that plays, so she’s gonna be pumped.” The studio cracked up.
And then—bam—Frank Isola delivered a line that changed the mood instantly:
“It should be an Olympic jersey, to be honest. It should say ‘United States Clark’ on the back.”
Big thanks to @IndianaFever President Kelly Krauskopf for the gifts to @TheFrankIsola and @Scalabrine!
Frank’s thoughts on the Caitlin Clark Fever shirt??
“It should be an Olympic jersey” @k2Indytex | @SiriusXMSports pic.twitter.com/XMnyisqY6F
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 12, 2025
Just like that, the laughter softened. Because it hit a nerve.
No matter how many hats she gets, Caitlin Clark still wasn’t on that flight to Paris.
Even after averaging 19 points, 9.3 assists, and 6 rebounds in her rookie campaign. Even after setting record attendance numbers, dominating highlight reels, and practically redefining what it means to be a rookie in the WNBA. The U.S. Olympic committee passed on Clark, choosing experience—Diana Taurasi, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray—over hype, headlines, and her generational momentum.
And that snub still stings.
So when Isola brought it up, it wasn’t just a punchline—it was a reminder. A subtle jab that echoed a much bigger conversation.
Even Sue Bird, recently appointed managing director of USA Basketball Women’s National Team, had to answer for it on The Dan Patrick Show. Asked whether Clark should’ve made the cut, Bird didn’t flinch.
“Everybody who takes this job is in a no-win situation. The pressure is always there,” she said.
Bird respected the selection committee’s call, but the tension was clear. The U.S. beat France by one in the gold medal game—67–66. That pressure? It was real.
So yeah, it was fun to see Krauskopf hand out Caitlin Clark hats on live radio. And funnier still to hear her play along with the fan-club bit. After all, Krauskopf’s no stranger to the league—she helped build it, serving as the WNBA’s first director of operations from 1997 to 1999. She’s now back in the thick of it, running the Fever, Clark’s team.
But while Scalabrine left grinning with merch for his daughter, and the studio shook off the moment with a laugh, the rest of us were left with that one quiet image:
A jersey that still doesn’t exist.
Caitlin Clark, Lucky Charm of the Pacers: Courtside Presence Sparks 4-0 Run in NBA Finals
But do you know who does have a whole online store? Indiana. And not just for the Pacers—Caitlin Clark’s jerseys, tees, and merch have their own corner of the shop. Because in 2025, Clark isn’t just leading the Indiana Fever. She’s practically the unofficial MVP of the entire Indiana basketball universe.
And the weirdest part? The Pacers might actually owe her a few wins.
Jun 11, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Caitlin Clark attends game three of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Clark has been courtside for four Pacers games since the playoffs began. The Pacers have won all four. Every single time she’s been on the bench? W., Including Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night, when Clark and her Fever teammates were spotted cheering like true Indy diehards.
It worked. The Pacers, behind 27 points from Bennedict Mathurin and a near triple-double from Tyrese Haliburton (22 points, 11 assists, 9 boards), took down the Thunder 116-107 and grabbed a 2-1 lead in the series. “This is the kind of team that we are,” said coach Rick Carlisle. “We need everybody.”
And on a night where Caitlin Clark, Reggie Miller, and Oscar Robertson were all in the building, Indiana delivered. They outscored OKC 32-18 in the fourth quarter, flipping a five-point deficit into a statement win. Since mid-March, they’re 10-0 after losses—resilient, relentless, and maybe a little lucky.
So if you’re keeping track: the Pacers are undefeated with Caitlin Clark in the crowd. And yes, you can now buy her jersey in their store.
Coincidence? Maybe.
But Game 4 is in Indiana and the Pacers might want Clark on the courtside…again
The post Caitlin Clark Gift From Indiana Fever President Stuns NBA Radio Host but Revives Pain of Olympic Snub appeared first on EssentiallySports.
