By: Anya Chen

Team WNBA, consisting of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Aliyah Boston and more, made a slam dunk at this year’s WNBA All-Star Game, which took place on Saturday, July 20 in Phoenix, Arizona. This year’s game ended at 117-109 against USA Basketball featuring star players like Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, and Alyssa Thomas. This game was more significant than past matches because they also broke the all-time audience record for a WNBA All-Star broadcast.

3.44 million people watched the game on Saturday, crushing the previous audience record from 2003. 10 years ago, 1.441 viewers watched the game, making this year’s numbers 139% more than the record from 2003.

The 2024 All Star Game audience number also tracks as the most-watched WNBA event on any ESPN network. This is also the 17th game this year surpassing 1 million viewers. Caitlin Clark played in 15 of those games.

The popularity of the WNBA is skyrocketing this year because of the recent college basketball players that have joined the league. Angel Reese joined forces with Clark to beat the U.S. women’s national team in the game. Players such as Cameron Brink are bringing attention to college women’s basketball and female sports in general.

“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,” said Julie Sobieski, ESPN senior vice president of League Programming and Acquisitions.

The remarkable viewership is making people look forward to what is yet to come for women’s sports. Claire Watkins, an experienced writer on female athletics, talked about this to PBS News. She believes that television numbers will only go up, and a rising tide can be clearly seen: “And I think it’s underrated just how young women’s sports are in terms of traditional leagues,” she added.

Image Credit by Beatriz Braga