The WNBA All-Star Game drew 3.2 million viewers on ABC, marking a 44% increase from the previous year and becoming the second-most-watched edition of the event in league history. This surge in viewership occurred when Caitlin Clark participated on the court.
In contrast, the WNBA 3-Point Contest, held the night before, averaged 1.17 million viewers on ESPN, an approximate 11% decline from the previous year's audience. Clark had declined an invitation to participate in the 3-Point Contest.
ESPN publicly highlighted the strong viewership for the All-Star Game and a pregame interview featuring Clark, which drew 1.8 million viewers. However, the network did not initially include the 3-Point Contest figures in its promotional graphics, only releasing them after inquiries.
The audience for the All-Star Game has shown a significant correlation with Clark's participation. Last year, when Clark was in attendance but did not play due to injury, the game averaged 2.19 million viewers, which was down 36% from the record set in 2024. The 2024 All-Star Game viewership of 3.442 million was boosted by a unique format that included Clark and Angel Reese playing on the same team against the U.S. Olympic roster, creating a compelling narrative.
This year's All-Star Game, despite a more conventional format and lacking the Olympic-related storylines of the previous year, still managed to attract a substantial audience with Clark playing. While Nielsen's measurement methodologies have evolved, and direct year-over-year comparisons have caveats, the trend suggests a significant impact from Clark's presence.
Even in events she doesn't directly compete in, Clark's association with the weekend appears to provide a halo effect. Indiana Fever games have maintained strong viewership even when Clark is sidelined, indicating sustained fan interest in her team and her status. Similarly, the 3-Point Contest and Shooting Stars event, while not featuring Clark as a participant, benefited from her presence during the overall All-Star Weekend festivities. Despite this indirect benefit, the viewership for these events declined.
The data from the WNBA All-Star Weekend provides a stark contrast between the viewership numbers when Clark is actively competing and when she is not, underscoring her significant influence on the league's audience engagement.