Upon learning that Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese would be teaming up against the U.S. women’s national team for this year’s WNBA All-Star Game, I became instantly intrigued about the most-watched WNBA All-Star Game in history. This milestone occurred in 2003 when 1.441 million viewers watched the game on ABC on a Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. The game featured a lineup of iconic players such as Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird, Dawn Staley, and many more. It also marked the debut of Becky Hammon from the New York Liberty.
A safe bet is that this year’s game will break the 2003 viewership record. The continued relevance of broadcast television in live sports broadcasts cannot be overstated. Last year’s WNBA All-Star Game, which aired in prime time on ABC, saw a significant increase in viewership compared to the previous year. The 2023 WNBA All-Star Game became the most-watched since 2007, with an average of 850,000 viewers and peaked at 950,000 viewers.
BUT FIRST, let’s get you ready for WNBA All-Star Weekend and what’s to come once this weekend wraps up. The fun is just heating up 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fwP8a9WXT1
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 18, 2024
ESPN officials are excited about the upcoming game on Saturday night in Phoenix. The All-Star Game lineup was chosen through a combination of fan, player, media, and coach voting and will face off against Team USA. With players like A’Ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart leading Team USA and the dynamic duo of Clark and Reese on the opposing team, there are plenty of storylines to follow.
The game will start on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET, with special coverage beginning at 8 p.m. by ESPN. The event includes a skills challenge and 3-point contest airing on Friday at 9 p.m. on ESPN.
One of the reasons for the anticipated high viewership is the expected competitiveness of this year’s game. ESPN vice president Sara Gaiero mentioned that this All-Star Game will be played with a different level of intensity, avoiding the usual exhibition style.
Furthermore, the WNBA is experiencing a surge in interest, with new broadcasting deals worth around $2.2 billion over the next 11 years. This signifies a positive future for women’s basketball, with stars like Clark and Reese at the forefront.
With the excitement building for the All-Star Game, it’s evident that women’s basketball is on an upward trajectory, with promising prospects for the league’s growth and success.
Despite the challenges and criticisms, players like Reese and Clark are paving the way for the future of women’s basketball, garnering interest from a wide audience beyond just sports fans.
The ABC broadcast for the All-Star Game will also highlight the U.S. women’s Olympic team as they prepare for the Tokyo Games. The U.S. women’s team boasts an impressive winning streak and is aiming for an eighth consecutive gold medal.
With a season already marked by high viewership and exciting matchups, the WNBA All-Star Game promises to be another captivating event with the only question remaining being how high the viewership numbers will climb.
(Photo: Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)
