It’s officially the Summer of Caitlin Clark … books.
Earlier this week, USA Today columnist Christine Brennan released her highly anticipated book about the Indiana Fever star titled “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports.” The book has, of course, drawn numerous headlines in recent weeks for Brennan’s sharp critique of the WNBA and its handling of Clark’s superstardom.
However, another Caitlin Clark book was released by longtime women’s basketball writer Howard Megdal earlier this summer. Megdal’s book, “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar,” has received considerably less fanfare, perhaps because it approaches the subject matter from a less combative angle than Brennan.
In a review of both biographies in the Washington Post, writer Ben Strauss describes Megdal’s book as “a more nuanced explanation of the WNBA’s triumphs and shortcomings,” while acknowledging more fans likely identify with Brennan’s perspective.
But while both authors have substantially different viewpoints on the Clark phenomenon, one aspect of both books is strikingly similar: the front cover.
Both covers feature an image of Clark preparing to shoot a free-throw. At first glance, one couldn’t be blamed for believing they’re the same exact image. They’re nearly identical, which is probably a compliment to Clark’s shooting form. Of course, they aren’t exactly the same image. Clark is wearing different colored jerseys. Her fingers are in a slightly different position relative to the “Wilson” lettering on the basketball. The headband she’s wearing is different. But all-in-all, the covers might as well be the same.
Who knows which author or publisher picked which cover first, or if either decision was intentional based on the other’s book.
But the irony of both books looking so similar while their contents are strikingly different can almost serve as a bit of a metaphor for how the public views Clark. Some, like Brennan, view her treatment by the WNBA, its players, and the media as unfair. Others, like Megdal, see Clark as a product of what came before her. A generational player the came at the right time.
Both authors are working from the same source material, but draw very different conclusions, just like many fans observing Clark’s career.