THE EMPTY JERSEY: How ‘Neutral Politics’ Forced Caitlin Clark to Give Up Her Iconic #22 for Team USA—And What It Reveals About the WNBA’s Deep Rift

In the world of professional sports, a jersey number is more than just a digit on a piece of fabric; it is a brand, a legacy, and a tangible symbol of identity. For two years, the number 22 has been arguably the single most recognizable icon in women’s basketball, inseparably linked to the rise of Caitlin Clark. Fans in Iowa have had it tattooed on their bodies [00:43], it has obliterated merchandise records across the WNBA [00:43], and it has come to represent a seismic shift in the sport’s cultural landscape.

Yet, as Clark, the Indiana Fever superstar, heads into the Team USA training camp in Durham, North Carolina, a stark reality has emerged: she has been asked to step away from her legendary number. In a move that has instantly sparked intense conversation and debate across social media, Clark will wear number 17 [03:29]. But the true story isn’t that she had to give up the number; it’s who didn’t get it, and the uncomfortable political dynamics it exposes within the WNBA and USA Basketball.

This is not a simple case of a rookie deferring to a veteran. This is a calculated, tense, and almost theatrical maneuver by the national team’s leadership to navigate the “Caitlin Clark phenomenon”—a wave of mainstream attention and commercial success so powerful it is forcing every facet of the sport to choose a side, or in this case, choose no side at all. The number 22 now sits empty on the Team USA roster—a symbolic void that speaks volumes about the internal conflict gripping the sport.

The Unspoken Significance of the Empty #22
The decision to assign Clark number 17, and not give number 22 to anyone else, is being accurately labeled a “political masterclass” [05:19]—or perhaps, a desperate attempt at neutrality in a political minefield.

It is crucial to understand that Clark is not the only star to wear 22. Asia Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces forward and a two-time reigning WNBA MVP, also proudly wears the number [02:36]. Cameron Brink wore it for the Sparks, and Hall of Famer Cheryl Swoopes made it legendary years ago [01:48].

The conventional, “safest, most conventional move,” according to hierarchy, would have been to hand the number to Wilson [05:31]. Wilson is a proven veteran, an established leader, and her achievements arguably grant her the right to keep her number while a rookie like Clark adapts and “falls in line.” This would have sent a clear message upholding the established hierarchy of the team and the league.

However, giving the number to Clark would have looked like “crowning her the undisputed face of Team USA before she even officially makes the roster” [05:42]. Such a move would have undoubtedly sparked outrage among veteran players already frustrated by the pervasive perception that Clark receives special treatment from the media and the league [05:50].

USA Basketball chose a third, highly unconventional path: give the number to no one [06:01]. They forced everyone else, including Clark, to switch their numbers, while #22 sits empty [06:06]. This singular act reveals the extreme caution and nervousness with which they are navigating Clark’s undeniable dominance [06:08]. They cannot afford to upset the veterans who have been the backbone of USA Basketball for years, but they also cannot afford to ignore that Clark is the reason why millions of casual fans, who might never have tuned in before, will now watch these games [06:21].

The empty jersey, therefore, is not a compromise; it is a confession of the deep-seated political tension that now dictates the operations of the highest levels of women’s basketball.

The Uncomfortable Truth of Veteran Resistance
The controversy over the number is merely a symptom of a larger, more uncomfortable truth: the WNBA establishment is struggling to embrace the phenomenon that is single-handedly enriching their league.

While NBA players like Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Draymond Green, and Jayson Tatum have raved about Clark’s talent and “must-watch TV” appeal [09:32], a large portion of WNBA veterans has been noticeably silent [09:44]. These are the very players whose paychecks are benefiting directly from the surge of attention Clark is bringing, the ones finally getting mainstream media coverage because she is putting the WNBA “back on the map” [09:59].

Instead of celebrating this historic boost, the league has witnessed a darker side: snide comments, relentlessly physical targeting that went far beyond normal basketball toughness, and passive-aggressive social media posts questioning whether Clark has truly “earned” her star status [10:07]. The resentment is palpable, even reaching a point where some have questioned whether she deserved the Rookie of the Year award, despite putting up one of the most historic freshman seasons in WNBA history [10:14].

This tension was highly visible during the All-Star game, where Clark’s jersey outsold every other player combined, even though she missed the game due to injury [10:27]. The feeling of unease from some veterans, being overshadowed by a player who wasn’t even on the court, highlighted the structural resistance to her overwhelming popularity [10:34].

None of this attention was Clark’s fault; she didn’t ask for this level of media scrutiny or merchandising power. Yet, a deep resentment has formed, forcing USA Basketball to walk on eggshells [10:40]. The removal of the #22 is the national team’s way of publicly acknowledging and attempting to diffuse this veteran-rookie tension, proving that they won’t automatically grant the new superstar the symbolic high ground.

The LeBron Factor: Protecting the Ecosystem and the Investment
Amidst the silence and resentment from her own league peers, Clark found a powerful public ally in LeBron James. The support from the NBA icon is significant on multiple levels—athletic, symbolic, and commercial.

LeBron has consistently been one of Clark’s loudest supporters [08:04]. When opponents targeted her physically, LeBron spoke out. When media questioned her deservedness, he defended her impact. Most crucially, when she was shockingly left off the Paris Olympics roster months earlier, LeBron was among the few NBA stars to publicly insist she “absolutely deserved a spot” [08:24].

This public backing carries immense weight, especially because both James and Clark are massive Nike athletes [08:31]. LeBron has one of the richest shoe deals in sports history. Clark signed an unprecedented 8-year, $28 million deal with Nike in April 2024—the largest shoe deal ever in women’s basketball [08:37]. When LeBron supports Clark, he is doing more than just mentoring a fellow athlete; he is protecting a massive commercial investment and helping ensure that the next generation of basketball fans stays firmly within the Nike ecosystem [08:52]. His legacy will now, in part, include building the bridge between his generation of dominance and hers.

Furthermore, the timing of their interaction—LeBron posting a montage celebrating his career and Clark replying simply with “King” [09:16]—feels like a genuine “passing of the torch” moment [09:19]. The biggest star of one generation publicly acknowledges the biggest star of the next, an act made even more powerful by the fact that so few others in the WNBA are willing to do the same.

The Marketing Paradox: Why the Number Doesn’t Matter (to Fans)
For all the political machinations surrounding the removal of #22, there is a massive marketing paradox at play: to her fans, the number on her jersey simply doesn’t matter [11:43].

The Team USA number 17 jersey with Caitlin Clark’s name is projected to sell out in hours, not days [07:13]. The reason is simple and profound: her fans are buying the player, not the number [07:21].

The proof of this loyalty is overwhelming:

When she made the All-Star team in July 2024, her jersey outsold every other player combined, even though she was injured and missed the game [07:27].

Her Iowa #22 jersey became the bestselling women’s college basketball jersey ever [07:34].

Her Fever #22 jersey shattered WNBA merchandise records in her very first month [07:42].

Now, the number 17 is on track to become another iconic number, simply because Caitlin Clark wears it [07:49]. This commercial juggernaut is the irrefutable evidence of her value. USA Basketball and the WNBA leadership can choose to avoid the controversy by retiring #22, but they cannot stop the millions of fans who will continue to tune in, cheer, and financially support her regardless of the digits on her back [11:44].

A Crossroads for the WNBA
The Team USA training camp, therefore, is poised to be one of the most fascinating events in recent memory, not just for the basketball, but for the underlying dynamics.

Based purely on skill—her court vision, insane range, and ability to create offense—Clark should logically be the starting point guard for Team USA [11:22]. Yet, the question hangs in the air: will her talent prevail, or will the veteran politics push her to the bench [11:36]?

The symbolic loss of the #22 jersey is a microcosm of the WNBA’s current struggle. For decades, the league has fought for mainstream attention and cultural recognition. They finally have a superstar who can deliver that exposure on a silver platter [11:57]. Yet, instead of fully embracing her contributions and celebrating the massive financial lift she provides, there remains an uncomfortable, visible resistance [12:03].

LeBron James, Nike, and the casual sports fans around the world clearly understand the future Clark represents [12:17]. The empty #22 jersey at the Team USA camp stands as a silent monument to the league’s hesitation. The real question is whether the WNBA establishment will recognize this golden opportunity and act decisively before the momentum, which they desperately need, slips away due to internal political infighting and lingering resentment [12:24]. The spotlight is on, and the world is waiting to see if the establishment will step up to meet the moment created by its brightest star.