Caitlin Clark to join NBC studio team for ‘Sunday Night Basketball’ launch

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will appear on NBC’s pregame studio show ahead of the launch of its new Sunday Night Basketball property.

Clark has signed on for two nights as a “special contributor,” NBC Sports announced Tuesday.

She will make her debut on Sunday during Basketball Night in America, ahead of NBC’s doubleheader featuring the Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets. Clark will return on March 29 when the Thunder host the Knicks in another Sunday Night Basketball broadcast.

“I’m really excited to be part of the Basketball Night in America crew this season,” Clark said in a statement. “Carmelo (Anthony), Vince (Carter) and Tracy (McGrady) are legends of the game, and Maria (Taylor) is a true professional. It will be really fun to join them a few times this season.”

NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood praised Clark, saying, “Caitlin is one of the most captivating players and dynamic scorers in basketball. We’re excited to have Caitlin join Hall of Famers Melo, Vince, Tracy and Reggie (Miller) in New York for the launch of Sunday Night Basketball.”

NBC regained NBA media rights for the first time in 23 years after renegotiating its deal last year. The 2025-26 season marks the network’s return, and NBC recently acquired a Major League Baseball package to create a year-round lineup of Sunday Night Football, Sunday Night Basketball, and Sunday Night Baseball.

Clark, who turned 24 last week, was the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and has been an All-Star in each of her first two seasons.

While the start of the WNBA season remains uncertain due to ongoing collective bargaining negotiations, both of Clark’s scheduled NBC appearances are set well before the Fever’s season opener on May 9.

—Field Level Media/Reuters