At only 22 years old, Caitlin Clark has joined the ranks of the greatest athletes of all time. The Iowa Hawkeye basketball phenom has broken just about every NCAA record in her sport, and she seems to make history with every game she plays — and Omaha Production’s ManningCast was there to put her in an even brighter spotlight.
Clark recently became the all-time leading scorer among college basketball players. The standout guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes shattered the NCAA’s all-time scoring record with a free throw bringing her total to a remarkable 3,668.
“I’m just kind of ready for the next chapter and a new challenge in my life,” she told Good Morning America shortly after achieving the record and announcing her intention to enter the NBA draft. “And what I’ve been able to do here has been very, very special. But I think the reason I decided to announce it when I did was just to have that closure.”
Clark isn’t just a player. She’s become a cultural icon. Her fame is largely due to her incredible skill on the court, but she also enjoys the support of high-profile fans like NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
Manning’s production company, Omaha Productions, which he co-founded with sports media executive Jamie Horowitz in December 2020, has acted as a megaphone for Caitlin Clark and women’s basketball. Even before she smashed NCAA scoring records, she appeared as a guest on ManningCast, chatting it up with Peyton and Eli Manning like they’ve been buddies for years.
There, Clark got a taste of the brothers’ trademark banter when Eli Manning said, “In high school, Peyton played basketball for a few years before he quit. He set the record for giving up the most consecutive 30-point games to the person he was guarding.”
To Peyton’s “Not true,” Eli joked, “That record will never be broken.”
Caitlin Clark: A Phenomenal Rise
Caitlin Clark has swiftly become a household name in NCAA basketball, thanks to her relentless scoring ability and leadership on the court. Clark’s senior season has been nothing short of historic, with an average of over 32 points per game, a figure that rivals even the greatest shooters in the NBA. Her ability to consistently wow fans has brought a new level of attention to women’s college hoops and set new benchmarks for success.
Clark has won dozens of awards, including all of the major Player of the Year awards. She’s a FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup gold medalist, and she’s been named one of the greatest women’s college basketball players of all time by many outlets, including ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, and NBC Sports — and she still has a long pro career ahead of her.
ManningCast: A Stage for Rising Stars
Just as important as Caitlin Clark’s success on the court has been her impact on women’s basketball. The undeniable interest she’s helped skyrocket has been called the “Caitlin Clark effect.”
But this effect couldn’t have taken hold without the help of media appearances such as Clark’s groundbreaking appearance on ManningCast. Clark’s debut on the program, which is produced by ESPN2 and Omaha Productions, marked the first time a college athlete was featured on the show.
ManningCast is a Monday Night Football sports commentary program — mostly discussing the football game being played — hosted by NFL Hall of Famer Peyton and future Hall of Famer Eli Manning. The Emmy-winning show is known for its unscripted banter, sibling rivalry, and expert play-calling. On the show, Clark discussed her love for the Kansas City Chiefs, her insights into basketball and football, and even a unique butter sculpture made in her likeness.
“The Iowa State Fair had a butter sculpture of you,” Eli Manning said to Clark. “Where does being sculpted in butter rank among all your honors?”
“It’s up there with the best of them,” Clark replied. “If you’re from Iowa, you know being sculpted out of butter is one of the top things.”
ManningCast was the perfect medium for Clark to show off her personality, a trait that the public adores. Her seamless transition from basketball star to commentator demonstrated the evolving landscape of athlete engagement with fans. Omaha Productions, under the leadership of Jamie Horowitz, has been instrumental in creating platforms that allow athletes to connect with audiences in innovative ways.
This ManningCast moment was more evidence of how Omaha Productions is changing the sports media landscape. It’s enabling athletes like Clark to connect with fans on a whole new level. Jamie Horowitz and Peyton Manning have crafted something special here: a place where sports, entertainment, and big personalities intersect.
A Bright Future for Caitlin Clark and Omaha Productions
Clark’s journey from dominating NCAA basketball to her appearance on ManningCast is a narrative of excellence in sports and innovation in sports media. Omaha Productions offers athletes like Clark opportunities to share their stories, adding depth and richness to the sports media scene while bringing more fans into the fold.
As Clark continues to break records, Omaha Productions will continue shaping the future of sports broadcasting with compelling personalities and innovative storytelling.
