“They told us she wasn’t ready for the spotlight… now the numbers tell a different story.” WNBA DROPS bombshell All-Star Game RATINGS and the Caitlin Clark effect is UNDENIABLE – fans CELEBRATE as league forced to face her unstoppable rise

The numbers are in—and they’re louder than any critic. The WNBA just released its All-Star Game ratings, and the results are already making waves. After months of backlash, debates, and media snubs, Caitlin Clark’s name is now etched into a historic viewership spike that can’t be ignored. Her presence didn’t just boost excitement—it transformed the event. So why is the league still so hesitant to fully embrace her dominance? And what does this say about who holds the real power in women’s basketball today?

Catch the record-shattering numbers and the fan reaction that’s turning the league on its head.

Team Clark guard Caitlin Clark (Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)
Caitlin Clark’s latest injury hurt the WNBA in more ways than one.

Clark did not compete in any of the on-court events in Indianapolis due to her latest injury, which she suffered in the waning seconds of the Fever’s July 15 win over Connecticut.

Clark missed Indiana’s final game before the All-Star break with an injured right groin and pulled out of Friday night’s 3-point contest as well as Saturday’s All-Star Game.

The Caitlin Clark effect was certainly real for the WNBA as the ratings came out following the WNBA All-Star Game over the weekend.

Without Clark in action, the game saw a massive dip in viewership as compared to 2024.

According to ESPN PR, Saturday night’s game’s average of 2.2 million viewers was up 158% compared to the 2023 edition. It was the second-most-watched WNBA All-Star Game in history.

Numbers are up, but not as good as when Clark is the main attraction.

“Caitlin Clark effect manifests itself in 2 ways: Anything with Clark, then without, drops hard. NCAA title game -54%. Draft -49%. All-Star -36%. Regular-season -50% during her time out (but still up for 2025),” Karp wrote on Twitter/X. “Numbers even without Caitlin are well above years before her arrival.”

Last season, there were 3.44 million viewers for the WNBA All-Star Game. This past weekend, it dipped 36% down to 2.19 million viewers, first reported by Front Office Sports.

When Will Caitlin Clark Get Back On The Court?

Caitlin Clark (David Butler II-Imagn Images)
The WNBA tips off the second half of its season on Tuesday night.

One player who won’t be competing for the immediate future is Caitlin Clark, who is recovering from a right groin injury she suffered last week.

Clark told reporters on Saturday night that she had been getting treatment.

Indiana coach Stephanie White said the Fever intend to be cautious with Clark, who missed 10 games during the first half of the season with three different muscle injuries.