Image Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

What is Magic Johnson’s Definition of a Superstar? How Does it Describe Caitlin Clark Perfectly?

Magic Johnson's definition of a superstar describes WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark perfectly.

Image Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

NBA Legend Magic Johnson has his definition of a superstar. Regarded as the greatest point guard of all time, Johnson appeared on First Take, where he revealed what it takes a player to attain the status of a superstar in the NBA. According to him, a player who compels fans to take out time from busy lives to watch him, is truly a superstar.

Defining a superstar, the five-time NBA Champion said, “A person who can go on the road and sell the building. Simple. I’m going to see that person… You gotta be box office. A superstar gotta say, man, or you’re running home from the office and saying, oh, I gotta see him on TV.” He talked about legends like Larry Bird, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan and said that these players would drive fans crazy and they wouldn’t want to miss out on any chance to see them play.

Johnson said, “Larry Bird, people running home, Shaq, people running home, Kobe, people running home. And then of course, the greatest that has ever played, Michael Jordan, people going, running home to see him, or they’re trying their best to get into the arena to see that brother play. That’s a superstar who could go on the road and sell the building now.”

How Does Magic Johnson’s Definition Describe Caitlin Clark Perfectly?

Magic Johnson’s definition of a superstar fits perfectly for the Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who, ever since her debut in 2024, has taken the WNBA by a storm. Even before joining the league, she had made a name for herself with her collegiate career, and revolutionized women’s basketball in the truest senses. Awarded as the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Clark is not only a reason for bringing a change into the game but also in the business.

Indiana Fever’s ticket prices spike up 140% in their away games, while the merchandise sales have seen a surge of 500%. In her first year, the 23-year-old drew an average of 17,274 fans in their home games which was 182% more than the attendance the previous season. Not only this, but as she injured her quadriceps, the WNBA viewership dropped by 55 percent, such is the Caitlin Clark effect.

This is not it! Before the beginning of the WNBA 2025 season, several other franchises including the Dallas Wings, the Atlanta Dream, Washington mystics, and others, moved their home games against the Fever to larger venues to accommodate more fans to see Clark live.

Caitlin Clark

Magic Johnson

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.