WNBA All-Star Game Viewership Turns Heads as Numbers Without Caitlin Clark Are Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
In what was expected to be a huge blow to the entire WNBA All-Star Weekend, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark opted to sit out due to a right groin injury.
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The face of the league has suffered three injuries in the first half of the WNBA season, with two different groin injuries and a quad injury that has kept her out of 11 games and counting.
Although her numbers have been down, as she is averaging just 16.5 points on 36.7% shooting from the field and 27.9% from deep, she is still wildly popular, and the league felt her absence over the weekend.
The viewership numbers from the game were revealed on Tuesday, and the league saw a 36% decline in comparison to last year’s game, which saw Clark and the All-Stars take on Team USA before they went to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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As expected, fans on social media had plenty to say about this data.
“Wow this is kinda shocking still for an all star. I would think I would be closer to 3m. Also was All star on ESPN last year or abc? Either way still low I bet due to CC out,” wrote one fan.
“Unfortunately I was one of that 2.19 million, watching that game was a horrible experience,” said another.
“So you are saying that ratings are better when Clark plays? Interesting. So that would mean more revenue. Why are WNBA players mean to their golden goose? They should get on board and get paid what they feel they are owed,” suggested a third.
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“Clark not playing continues to be bad for WNBA ratings,” observed one fan.
“wow Caitlin Clark playing basketball is that important to this league,” added another.
Team Clark guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on before the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
If there was a silver lining, it’d be that this was only the second WNBA All-Star Game ever to surpass two million viewers, according to Front Office Sports.
Whether it was because Clark was injured or because it wasn’t against the very Olympic team that snubbed her like last year, fans clearly felt something was missing.
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Related: “I Just Started Laughing”: Caitlin Clark Recalls Beating WNBA Veteran
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
