Caitlin Clark didn’t exactly shut the door on a future Philadelphia stop - she just wanted to know what kind of reception she’d get first.
During a November 3, 2026 episode of Kylie Kelce’s podcast, Not Gonna Lie, Jason Kelce’s wife floated the idea of Clark coming to watch a 76ers game in Philly. Clark was open to it right away.
“Would you ever come and watch a Sixers game in Philly?”
“I’d love to. Yeah. I need to experience the fans up close.”
But the conversation took a sharper turn when Kelce pushed the hypothetical a little further and asked what would happen if Clark’s face popped up on the Jumbotron.
“Would they boo me or would they cheer?”
That question fit the larger picture Clark painted of Philadelphia sports fans. The Indiana Fever star said Phillies, Eagles and Sixers supporters all seem like the kind of people who demand a win as badly as the players do.
“I love how passionate fans are. They’re crazy, but I think it’s awesome.
Phillies fans and Eagles fans, Sixers fans, they all seem kind of nuts, but I love it. …”
Clark also said she has only been to Philadelphia once, and that trip was for a doctor’s appointment and a cheesesteak. Even so, she didn’t dismiss Kylie Kelce’s pitch about Philadelphia’s future WNBA team.
When Kelce suggested Clark could be part of that project down the line, Clark answered, “You can claim me. I’ll take all of Philly.”
Kelce has been doing her part to sell the city, too. She said she has already spoken with Dawn Staley about Philadelphia’s WNBA team, which is scheduled to debut in 2030, and she also talked with A’ja Wilson about how to convince her to play there.
As for Clark, Kelce made it clear she’s not giving up on the idea anytime soon.
“I’m going to play the long game to get the best in the world to come to Philadelphia. I’ll come back to this.”
Clark’s reply kept the tone light.
“I’m going to have to talk to my agent.”
For now, though, Clark is still tied to Indiana. She has spent all three of her WNBA seasons with the Fever and will be there for at least the next year, if not two.
There was also another Philadelphia connection tucked into the conversation. Clark said she has a signed, game-worn Sixers jersey from LeBron James and made it clear that one is staying special.
“He gave me his signed, game-worn Sixers jersey. I don’t really want that many people’s signed jerseys, but that’s one where I’m like, ‘That’ll be framed.’”
The Philadelphia expansion franchise was formally approved by the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors in April 2026, along with teams in Detroit and Cleveland. The city’s new team is set to arrive in 2030.
Kelce and Clark also spent time batting around possible names for the team. “Philadelphia Belles” was one option discussed, while Kelce floated “Philadelphia Broads” as a nod to Broad Street.
Clark said the Belles name stood out to her because of the program’s place in her basketball memory.
“They were one of the first really, really, really good women’s AAU programs when I was growing up. I played them all the time.
They were on the Nike circuit. They’ve had a lot of really good players.”
And when the topic turned to what Philadelphia already means in women’s basketball, Clark pointed to the city’s history and the buzz that could come with the new franchise.
“Philly has such a rich tradition in women’s basketball, too. It’s 2030, and the new arena will be done by then. It’s going to be crazy, I think - just the excitement level for that team.”
In Other News...
Iowa Northwestern Stakes Just Changed With A New QB Twist
A Big Ten game that already carried plenty of weight got a little more interesting this week, with Iowa and Northwestern both entering Ryan Field at 6-2 and trying to keep themselves in the league race. The Hawkeyes are going back to Hank Brown at quarterback after another strong defensive outing, a familiar formula for a team that has leaned on field position, toughness and steady play to stay in the mix.
Northwesterns side of the matchup has a new wrinkle of its own, with Nicco Marchiol likely to get the start at quarterback because Aidan Chiles is doubtful. That shift matters in a game where every edge feels magnified, and it has already sent the prediction chatter in different directions, with some analysts leaning Iowa and others taking Northwestern even before the latest injury news was factored in. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Walks Into A Brutal Early Test At UConn
Iowas women are headed into one of the earliest measuring-stick games of the season, a trip to Gampel Pavilion to face UConn in a matchup that brings together two top-10 teams. The Huskies are coming off a loss to Michigan, which only adds a little more edge to a game that already carried plenty of weight because of the national rankings and the setting in Storrs.
The meeting is part of a two-year home-and-home series, with UConn getting the first turn on its floor before Iowa is set to return the favor in the 2027-28 season. For the Hawkeyes, it is the kind of nonconference test that can reveal a lot early, especially against a program that rarely offers much room for error. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Showed The Formula Fans Needed To See Before Bigger Tests
Iowa got the kind of tune-up it needed against Eastern Illinois, rolling to a 91-47 win behind a defense that never let the Panthers settle in. The Hawkeyes held Eastern Illinois to 33 percent shooting, kept it from making a three-pointer and turned 13 turnovers into 21 points while also getting a steady offensive lift from TyReek Coleman, Trevin Jirak, Peyton McCollum and Trey Thompson.
For a team that is going to be judged more harshly once the schedule stiffens, this was the cleaner version of Iowa basketball fans have been waiting to see. The Hawkeyes shot 46.7 percent from deep, controlled the pace from start to finish and showed the kind of pressure and balance that can travel better when the tests get bigger, even if the real answer on how far it can carry them still lies ahead. [Read more 🡒]