WNBA champion Lexie Brown opens up on 'culture shift' since Caitlin Clark's arrival

Seattle Storm player Lexie Brown spoke about how the WNBA has changed since Caitlin Clark's debut in 2024.

Seattle Storm player Lexie Brown has been in the WNBA since 2018, and won a championship with the Chicago Sky in 2021. In recent years, she's taken notice of how the culture and image of the WNBA has changed since Caitlin Clark's arrival in 2024.

"Has it changed how people view the WNBA? Absolutely. I think unfortunately, our value, the respect that we got has been directly attached to how much money we make and it's not rocket science to see that since her arrival, and the rest of that 2024 class, the WNBA has skyrocketed. I'm not gonna act like that's not a coincidence," Brown told Fox News Digital.

"I think that people are taking the league more seriously, I think people are taking us more seriously as professional athletes. And I think if you consider that a culture shift, I would say, absolutely."

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Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever is defended by Lexie Brown of the Los Angeles Sparks during the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 28, 2024. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Brown admitted that injuries and her battle with Crohn's Disease has kept her away from the court over the last two seasons during Clark's rise, only playing in 40 total games since 2024.

Still, Brown witnessed the phenomena and controversy as a competitor.

"Do I think there were instances of excessive physicality? For sure," Brown said when asked about the on-court play involving the 2024 draft class. "But I think that happens at all leagues, to rookies, the young players, I think that's just the competitive nature of things... I feel like if you watch