Caitlin Clark continued to make the most of her offseason on Monday night as she enjoyed courtside seats at the Indiana Pacers game alongside her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery. The Indiana Fever star was seen soaking in the action as the Pacers faced off against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Clark, who is currently experiencing her longest break from competitive basketball since her college days at Iowa, has been keeping busy with various activities, including participating in golf tournaments, attending charity events, and, of course, watching plenty of sports. Since the Fever’s exit in the first round of the WNBA playoffs, she’s taken the opportunity to enjoy a much-needed change of pace.
On Monday, Clark headed to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to show her support for the Pacers, who were up against the Pelicans. She was seen sitting courtside with her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, and Jade Jones, the girlfriend of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. The trio appeared to be having a great time, enjoying the game and cheering on the home team.
Clark’s presence at the arena didn’t go unnoticed, especially by a group of young fans who were thrilled to see her. A handful of young girls wearing Indiana Fever and Iowa jerseys were visibly excited when they spotted Clark, who acknowledged them warmly, further endearing herself to her fans.
During the game, Clark also showed her support for Haliburton, giving him her stamp of approval when he sank one of his numerous three-pointers. Haliburton put on a stellar performance, finishing with 34 points, 13 assists, and a season-high nine three-pointers, ultimately leading the Pacers to a 114-100 victory.
His clutch three-pointer with just over three minutes left, followed by Bennedict Mathurin’s alley-oop dunk off a Haliburton assist, sealed the win for Indiana. The victory came as the Pelicans continued to struggle, now on a five-game losing streak.
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This wasn’t the only basketball game Clark attended recently. Just a few days earlier, she was also seen in the stands at Butler University’s men’s basketball game against Merrimack College. McCaffery, who is an assistant coach on the Bulldogs’ staff, was on the sideline as Butler cruised to a dominant 78-39 win.
The game turned into a blowout, with Merrimack scoring only eight points over the final 21 minutes, which may have explained why Clark appeared less than engaged, frequently chatting with others and checking her phone. Despite the one-sided nature of the game, Clark still showed her support for McCaffery and the team.
Clark’s offseason has also been marked by significant developments off the court. She recently made the decision not to participate in Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league that will feature top WNBA players like Napheesa Collier, Angel Reese, and Breanna Stewart.
Instead, Clark has chosen to focus her efforts on a different venture—becoming part of a group bidding to bring a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) franchise to Cincinnati.
Clark’s involvement with the NWSL bid team has been met with enthusiasm. The group released a statement emphasizing the importance of Clark’s influence in women’s sports and her role as a powerful advocate for women and girls. “The NWSL Cincinnati bid team is thrilled that Caitlin Clark has joined our ownership group in pursuit of bringing a women’s professional soccer team to our city,” the statement read.
“Her passion for the sport, commitment to elevating women’s sports in and around the Greater Cincinnati region, and influence as an athlete and role model for women and girls around the world make her a vital part of our compelling bid to become the 16th team in the NWSL.”
Clark’s decision to join the NWSL ownership bid, along with her commitment to various charitable and social events, demonstrates her dedication to advancing women’s sports beyond her own playing career.
By stepping into the ownership arena, Clark is helping to pave the way for future generations and expand opportunities for women in professional athletics.
With her offseason activities in full swing, Caitlin Clark is proving that her influence extends far beyond the basketball court.
Whether she’s supporting her boyfriend’s coaching efforts, cheering on Tyrese Haliburton from the sidelines, or helping to bring professional women’s soccer to Cincinnati, Clark is making the most of her time away from competition and continuing to inspire fans of all ages.
