Caitlin Clark’s Hot Take: Is the Transfer Portal Too Much?

The transfer portal giveth and the transfer portal taketh away.

Earlier this week, we reported the news regarding the University of Iowa's newest addition to their football program; Mark Gronowski.

Gronowski was a four-year starter at South Dakota State, where he had won 2 FCS National Championships, according to reports. When this quarterback entered the transfer portal, he was one of the most sought after players in the world of college football.

Unfortunately, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said that the Illinois native will be undergoing surgery and likely won't be throwing a football until June.

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What Is the Transfer Portal?

Established in October of 2018, the NCAA transfer portal is viewed as a form of "free agency" for collegiate athletes so they can move from campus to campus, according to reports.

The portal is an online database that lists college athletes who are changing schools.

According to ESPN, football players can enter their name into this database during specific transfer windows. This takes place twice a year, during the winter and spring.

The winter transfer window for the 2024-2025 season was December 9th through the 28th. And the spring transfer window is set for April 16th through the 25th.

Former Iowa Hawkeye Caitlin Clark Weighs in on the Transfer Portal

TIME Magazine Athlete of the Year, WNBA Rookie of the Year, and Iowa sweetheart Caitlin Clark started off 2025 in an exciting way; by making an appearance on 'The New Heights' podcast.

Hosted by NFL greats Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and his brother former Philadelphia Eagles Jason Kelce, Clark definitely took their show to 'New Heights.'

For the West Des Moines native and Chiefs fan, this must've been an exciting moment in her career.

The athletes all discussed Clark's record breaking final year, going to the Eras Tour, and the iconic Iowa wave.

@newheightshow Jason might’ve just added something to the best tradition in sports @Audible ♬ original sound - New Heights

One of the hottest topics that the Kelces and Clark touched on was the college transfer portal. Caitlin is in a very unique spot. She got into college just a handful of years after the transfer portal was put into place.

After the success she had in Iowa, she could've easily transferred anywhere, but she stayed put. Clark shared her thoughts on how this new collegiate component is shaping the world of sports.

"The transfer portal is crazy—especially in football. That's where I think it's gotten the craziest," the Indiana Fever rookie said.

"It's kind of sad. You lost a little bit of that amateurism of college sports... but also, it's the world we're living in."

Clark went on to joke with the brothers about just how wild how many times an athlete can transfer during their collegiate careers.

"But now we've got people on their fourth school in their seventh year! It's just getting egregious!"

You can watch the full episode down below!

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