Caitlin Clark has become a symbol of Iowa pride from the moment she arrived at the University of Iowa to play for the Hawkeyes. Now, as she is inspiring fans both on and off the court as a WNBA superstar with her record-breaking performances, her hometown has found a new way to celebrate female athletes.

Heroics Sports Lounge, Iowa’s first women’s sports dedicated bar, has opened on Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines, giving fans a space where local stars like Clark will take the center stage, where women’s sports aren’t treated as background noise, but as the main attraction.

Jami Behun, owner of the bar, told the Who13 that the idea came into her mind when she visited a similar venue in Oregon. Since then, she wanted a place where women’s sports weren’t on just the small screen or sometimes not shown at all. She plans to show all Iowa-based women’s sports teams, along with national leagues like the WNBA and the Olympics, shining a spotlight on athletes who inspire a generation like Caitlin Clark.

The bar also positions itself as a welcoming space for women and LGBTQIA+ fans, featuring a cocktail menu inspired by female athletes, a wine list highlighting women-led brands, and a beer selection that blends local favorites with classic staples.

Caitlin Clark’s rise in women’s basketball didn’t just bring sellout crowds and record-breaking television numbers; it changed expectations. For many Iowa fans, with her deep-range three and pure dominance on the court, Clark normalized the idea that women’s sports deserve the biggest screen, the loudest room, and the most passionate support.

That shift in mindset is exactly what makes Heroics viable now. Behun’s vision aligns with a fanbase that no longer sees women’s sports as an alternative option, but as must-watch entertainment.

The bar will celebrate its opening with a launch party on January 17 at 2005 Ingersoll Ave, Suite 101, featuring prizes, specials, and a full slate of women’s sports on display. For Des Moines and Caitlin Clark’s hometown fans, the lounge sends a message that the standard has changed, and women’s sports in Iowa are no longer waiting for space. They’re claiming it!

Caitlin Clark’s influence now reaches far beyond the court

The 23-year-old WNBA star, whose recent commercial crossed 30 million views, teased her long-awaited Nike signature sneaker during an appearance on New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, offering a glimpse into how deeply personal the project has been for her.

“It’s probably been one of the coolest things I’ve gotten to do,” Clark said. “I grew up wanting to be a Nike athlete, every kid does.”

The Indiana Fever star shared that the shoe has been in development for more than a year, calling it both exciting and challenging as she worked to make the shoe truly her own. According to her, finding the right balance between uniqueness and comfort proved to be the toughest part of bringing the project to life.

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While she didn’t reveal many details, Caitlin Clark hinted that the technology in her shoes is unlike anything that Nike has used in its basketball lineup before. That promise alone was enough to spark excitement, but it was her comments about potential colorways that truly lit up the conversation. When Clark floated the idea of a red-and-gold Chiefs-inspired edition, Travis couldn’t hide his enthusiasm,

“Yeah! Are you kidding me! Oh, you’re speaking to me now. I’m game,” the Kansas City Chiefs tight end said. “I can’t wait to see exactly what this thing looks like, and you already know I’ll be the first one in line to get them.”

This moment serves as another sign of how Caitlin Clark now occupies space far beyond basketball – where women’s sports conversations intersect with mainstream stars, major brands, and fan culture that no longer treats female athletes as niche attractions.