Over the weekend, Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever star, participated in a panel at the NFL’s annual meetings in Palm Beach, Florida. The discussion, titled “The Changing Face of Sports and Its Impact on the NFL,” focused on the league’s interest and goals regarding women’s flag football.
Clark joined NFL legend Eli Manning and tennis icon Serena Williams, with whom she also took a photo. Although no video or audio of the conversation has been released to the public, it’s clear that Clark provided important perspectives that will aid the NFL in shaping its involvement in flag football and women’s sports overall.
The NFL is led by Commissioner Roger Goodell, who doesn’t always enjoy the best reputation among football fans. However, he may have gained some support from women’s basketball fans with his remarks about Caitlin Clark when speaking to the media on April 1.
“We’re always looking for perspective, and to learn something,” Goodell said when asked why Clark was invited to the NFL Meetings, according to an X post by The Athletic’s James Boyd. “We have owners investing in sports, especially women’s sports.”
“[Clark is] already an icon at a very young age… Both of their perspectives were really valuable for our ownership to understand, to learn from,” he added, referring to Clark and Serena Williams.
“I believe hearing from those two, in particular, really highlighted many of the things we’re all considering as a league, and hopefully as individual teams, to improve and do things better.”
I asked Roger Goodell why #IndianaFever superstar Caitlin Clark was invited to speak at #NFL meetings:
“She’s already an icon … She was sitting there with the GOAT, Serena (Williams) … I think both of their perspectives were really valuable for our ownership to understand.” pic.twitter.com/g1d2c218CT
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) April 1, 2025
