The Caitlin & Angel Effect Took Direct Aim At The WNBA All-Star Game, Setting A New Record of 3.4 Million Viewers

Yes, the Caitlin Clark effect is real, and so is the impact that Angel Reese has had on the WNBA. This time, the two teamed up to beat the USA Olympic basketball team at the WNBA All-Star game, which drew huge ratings. In all, 3.44 million people watched the game, beating the previous record of 1.44 million viewers in 2003. That game featured an array of current and future Hall of Fame members, including Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie, and Sue Bird.

In contrast, last year's game drew an audience of 850,000.

"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 said, per The Athletic.

THE UNDERRATED OPINION
Simply put, it is still hard to understand the reasoning behind the decision by USA Basketball not to have Caitlin Clark on the team.