The WNBA missed Caitlin Clark over the weekend. The Indiana Fever star was present for the All-Star festivities in Indianapolis, but ratings for the star-studded exhibition game fell as she remained on the sideline with a groin injury.
This year’s All-Star Game drew 2.19 million viewers for ABC, a 36% drop from last year’s broadcast that drew a record audience to see Clark make her All-Star debut as a rookie.
The ratings are still encouraging for a growing WNBA and its media partners. The league’s new media deal for $200 million per year takes effect next season.
Friday’s 3-Point Contest, which was supposed to be Clark’s first as a professional, saw a 90% rise in viewership.
This year’s All-Star events were always going to struggle to surpass last year’s festivities. The Caitlin Clark effect swept the nation last summer, bringing record crowds and TV viewers for the WNBA.
The 2024 All-Star Game also used a different format, as Team USA competed against the remaining pool of players to prepare for the Paris Olympics.
Despite a slight dip, Saturday’s event was still the second most-watched WNBA All-Star Game in league history. The 2025 iteration drew 53% more TV viewers than the 2023 broadcast.
The WNBA hasn’t seen much fan fall-off during Clark’s second season as a professional. The league reports a 23% rise in viewership, 26% increase in attendance and 40% jump in merchandise sales.
WNBA teams return to the court on Tuesday night after the brief midseason pause.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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