There are few stories as compelling as Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise both on the basketball court and in the public eye. Shattering scoring records and captivating audiences nationwide, Clark, the standout guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has even been compared to Taylor Swift for her pop culture status. The buzz is about the “Caitlin Clark effect” on women’s basketball, driving the sport’s popularity to new heights.
And the media has sat up and taken notice, with football legend siblings Peyton and Eli Manning welcoming her to their wildly popular ManningCast show, a streaming hit presented by Omaha Productions, the company co-founded by Peyton Manning and sports media exec Jamie Horowitz. Manning and Horowitz — a former college basketball player himself — are longtime fans of Clark’s.
ManningCast was the perfect venue for Clark to show off her approachable personality in front of an audience of nearly 2 million sports fans. Not long after her appearance, Clark destroyed the all-time NCAA scoring record with a free throw that brought her point total to an astounding 3,668 — and cemented her place in NCAA history.
“When they announced it and everybody screamed — that’s when I knew,” Clark said. “It’s really crazy to think about. Honestly, if you would’ve told me that when my college career started, I would’ve laughed in your face, like, ‘No, you’re insane.’”
Just days before her big night, she shared that she’ll be entering the WNBA draft in April, stirring up more anticipation for the event.
And Omaha Productions was along for the ride, sticking to its ethos of fostering rising sports personalities and broadening the scope and impact of women’s sports.
Caitlin Clark: The GOAT of Women’s Basketball
Clark’s journey as an athlete is nothing short of mythic. Her unparalleled scoring ability has raised the bar for what’s possible in women’s basketball. Both her ability to sink 3-pointers from almost anywhere on the court and her knack for delivering in clutch moments have made her games must-watch events. Her senior season has seen her average more than 32 points per game, drawing comparisons to some of the greatest shooters in basketball history. Clark is destined to change the game of basketball as we know it.
But Clark’s impact goes beyond just numbers. Her electrifying performances and magnetic personality have brought renewed attention to women’s college basketball, inspiring a fresh generation of athletes and fans.
Caitlin Clark Finds Her Voice on ManningCast
Clark’s talent extends far beyond the hardwood. During her appearance on ManningCast, a show produced by Omaha Productions in collaboration with ESPN2, she demonstrated her skill as a media personality. She could roll with the punches and go play for play with two of football’s all-time great play-callers — the show’s hosts, Peyton and Eli Manning. Clark earned herself a spot on the ManningCast “Perfect Prediction Panel,” a sort of “Wall of Fame” for guests who accurately predict plays in the red zone.
The Mannings welcomed her during a key Monday night event. And it wasn’t just any game: She called plays on the Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl rematch, which was the most-watched Monday night football game in 25 years.
As the first college athlete to feature on the show, Clark chatted about everything from her love for the Kansas City Chiefs to her insights into basketball and football. Her appearance highlighted her charismatic personality and Omaha Productions’ commitment to elevating women athletes.
Those in the know appreciate Omaha Production’s ManningCast for not only its sports acumen, but also its humor and far-reaching topics of conversation. In Clark’s case, that included a discussion about butter sculptures — a Midwest honor the basketball phenom enjoyed.
“That’s up there with the best of them,” Clark told the Manning brothers. “If you’re from Iowa, everyone knows being sculpted out of butter is one of the top things. You go to the Iowa State Fair to see the butter sculptures, so when they asked me, I was like, ‘Yes, obviously I would love for you to do that,’ so it was pretty cool.”
Omaha Productions Paves the Way for Caitlin Clark — And Women’s Sports — To Shine
Under Jamie Horowitz’s leadership, Omaha Productions has become a powerhouse in sports media, creating innovative content that aims to uplift and inspire viewers beyond traditional sports fans. Horowitz is known for his transformative work in sports entertainment. He’s the mind behind many iconic sports programs including SportsNation, First Take, and Undisputed.
Jamie Horowitz has steered Omaha Productions to focus on stories and personalities that traditionally might have been overlooked. Clark’s ManningCast appearance is a prime example of this strategy in action.
Clark is clearly a Renaissance woman in modern sports. Despite her massive catalog of achievements, she’s likely to continue shattering scoring records for years to come. Not only that, but she’s fast becoming a Taylor Swift-esque media sweetheart, setting women’s basketball on a bright path.
With the support of Omaha Productions and the strategic vision of Jamie Horowitz, Clark and other women athletes are receiving the recognition they deserve. This represents a positive change for girls and women across the nation, and it also marks a new era in sports broadcasting. Omaha Productions continues to expand its representation of women athletes in the media, developing programs hosted by all-time greats like World Cup champ Abby Wambach, UFC and WWE hard-hitter Ronda Rousey, and Sue Bird, the WNBA’s all-time winningest player.
