Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese teamed up against the U.S. women’s national team in this year’s WNBA All-Star Game, resulting in a historic victory for Team WNBA. The game not only showcased their skills but also shattered the all-time audience record for a WNBA All-Star Game broadcast.
Saturday’s spectacle captured the attention of 3.44 million viewers on ABC, as reported by Nielsen. This figure far exceeds the previous audience record set in 2003 when 1.441 million viewers tuned in for a game at Madison Square Garden. The 2003 matchup featured basketball legends such as Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird, and Sheryl Swoopes.
The 2024 All-Star Game has now become the most-watched WNBA event on any ESPN network and ranks as the third-most watched WNBA game of all time, according to data from Sports Media Watch.
Throughout the season, Clark has played in 15 of the 17 WNBA games that attracted over 1 million viewers, showcasing her popularity and impact on viewership.
The game with the highest viewership this season was between Clark’s Indiana Fever and Reese’s Chicago Sky, drawing over 2 million viewers. This All-Star Game significantly surpassed last year’s event, which averaged 850,000 viewers on ABC.
ESPN SVP of League Programming and Acquisitions, Julie Sobieski, expressed pride in showcasing the WNBA and its exceptional athletes on a prominent platform, highlighting the league’s exponential growth in viewership.
This year marked the second consecutive year of airing the WNBA All-Star Game on a prime time network (ABC), contributing to the increased viewership along with the presence of star players and thrilling gameplay. Arike Ogunbowale’s record-breaking performance, scoring 34 points in the second half, earned her the All-Star MVP title in what many consider to be the best All-Star Game in history in terms of competitiveness.
Required Reading
- WNBA is entering a new era: Skyrocketing viewership, sold-out arenas, young stars
- How high can Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese take WNBA All-Star Game viewership?
(Photo: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
