There are several ways to measure Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark’s popularity. There are her lucrative NIL endorsement deals and the record ratings ESPN drew for Iowa’s showdown against LSU in the NCAA women’s national championship game.
But if you really want to know how popular Clark is, especially in Iowa, the proof could be found Saturday in Des Moines before the Triple-A Iowa Cubs game against the Columbus Clippers.
The Cubs ran a “Meet Caitlin Clark” promotion, allowing fans to see the Iowa star. KCCI sports director Scott Reister tweeted a video showing the line of fans waiting to meet Clark. Some arrived as early as 6 a.m. to line up. The turnout was, in a word, massive.
Reister concluded, “Caitlin Clark is a ROCK STAR.”
Caitlin Clark is a ROCK STAR. This is the line to see the @IowaWBB megastar at the @IowaCubs game. They started lining up at 6am. Not everyone here will get through the line by 6:30. @CaitlinClark22 @KCCINews pic.twitter.com/c0zPLf9hDz
— Scott Reister (@scottreister) June 3, 2023
Every time you think the line will end, it stretches on, like fans waiting to get into a Taylor Swift concert or something. The video stops before Reister reaches the end of the line, begging the question? Where did the line end? Nebraska?
Clark is clearly beloved in Iowa. She’s returning to play this fall for the Hawkeyes, who were one win away from a national championship this year.
The turnout stunned other local veteran sports reporters.
I predicted 8 AM. I was late. https://t.co/E9XauiUspN
— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) June 3, 2023
Eventually, the fans got inside, and Clark’s appearance seemed to be worth the wait.
We’re underway! She’s as nice and friendly as ever. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/7lreeiX1eM
— Scott Reister (@scottreister) June 3, 2023