Caitlin Clark and her fellow WNBA players’ pre-game fashion choices are turning heads off the court

The players know it and embrace it.

Clark’s look was a far cry from the outfit she wore when she played at the University of Iowa before the game.

“I would show up in my sweatpants and a T-shirt,” Clark said this week. “But honestly, it’s fun. It adds a whole other dynamic that you have to prepare for, but it’s also discovering your own style — what you like and don’t like and what’s comfortable.”

The pregame walk has been something of a fashion show in the NBA for years, with players showing off their fashion sense as cameras follow them through the bowels of stadiums across the country.

For WNBA players, the pre-game walk has become a chance to show off their style and express themselves to millions of people on TV and social media.

“It’s always been a guys thing, but now that there’s so much eyeballs on the W, it’s nice to get dressed up and get out on the court,” said Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham.

It’s more than just looking good. Doors open.

The tunnel walks and attention to detail have created new revenue streams for players who often have to play overseas to supplement their WNBA salaries.

The clothing, jewelry and accessories players wear have led to sponsorship deals beyond the usual basketball apparel and sneaker deals WNBA players are accustomed to.

“You run the gamut with all the partnerships, whether it’s footwear, apparel, makeup, skincare,” Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike said. “I’m excited to see the activation.”

Teams are also capitalizing on the phenomenon with their own sponsorship deals. The Liberty has a deal with footwear and apparel retailer Snipes.

The relatively new focus on fashion stands in stark contrast to the early days of the WNBA, when players received their uniforms at the team hotel and wore them on the bus to the arena.

Now, preparing a look is part of the pregame process. It may not take the same energy as mentally or physically preparing for a game, but the players put their minds into it.

Many players rely on stylists to help them come up with the right look for the tunnel, with some mapping out their game-day tunnel fits days in advance. Styles range from runway-ready to more androgynous looks, all with a nod to each player’s personal style.

“In college I wore a tracksuit every day, so that was a huge adjustment when I got to the league and had to figure out what I was going to wear every game,” said New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu.

“But I think it’s cool to see how everyone in the competition can express themselves in their own way.”

Not every player spends a lot of time figuring out the right tunnel fit. Sometimes it’s just a matter of waking up, looking at what’s on the hangers, and pulling on the right look for that day’s walk.

“Honestly, it could be a lot more than I do,” said Cunningham, who wore a short bubblegum pink dress and heels on the orange carpet. “I just roll out of bed and see what’s in my closet.”

Whatever the choice, Cunningham and the rest of the WNBA players turned the pre-game walk into a can’t-miss event.