By: Elizabeth Kwan

On July 20, 2024, a unison of bellows, cheers, and shrieks echoed through the walls of the Footprint Center in Phoenix Arizona after a sweat-inducing All-Star Game for the Women’s National Basketball Association. Due to the presence of Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese, a new record for the number of fans watching the WNBA All-Star Game bounced into play, with a whopping total of 3.44 million viewers on ABC and 4 million audience members in a sold-out arena.

Consequently, the WNBA All-Star Game became the most watched tournament on all ESPN networks and is the third most watched WNBA game in history.

Sports bring together a diversity of people from all over the world. The WNBA All-Star Game is no exception. Viewers of all ages watched the WNBA match on Saturday. YouGov suggests that 18-34-year-olds make up 47% of WNBA viewers, 35-54-year-olds with 32%, and 55 and older with 21%.

The official X (Twitter) account of the WNBA posted, “It’s all love after the WNBA All-Star Game.” This was the first time that Clark and Reese teamed up against the US women’s national team.

“This weekend’s extraordinary viewership underscores women’s sports’ exponential growth and ESPN is proud to showcase this incredible league and its exceptional athletes on such a grand stage,” Julie Sobieski, ESPN’s Senior Vice President, said. ESPN and ABC decided to air the WNBA All-Star Game live on the ABC network, further encouraging people to engulf themselves in the annual exhibition basketball game.

Image Credit by Pixabay