Fans Call Out ESPN for Overlooking Caitlin Clark’s Absence Amid WNBA Viewership Drop

While the WNBA All-Star Game aimed to celebrate the league’s talent, one glaring absence and the surrounding narrative quickly became the center of attention — Caitlin Clark was missing, and fans didn’t let that go unnoticed.

The Indiana Fever star and All-Star captain sat out the highly anticipated event due to a groin injury. Her absence, however, became more than just a footnote. It served as a stark reminder of how much Clark moves the needle when it comes to WNBA engagement, media buzz, and most critically — viewership.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that this year’s All-Star Game viewership dropped by 36% compared to the previous year, when Clark played against Team USA. The difference was impossible to ignore, and yet — ESPN seemed to try.

Instead of comparing this year’s numbers with 2024, ESPN released a celebratory graphic showing that viewership for the 2025 All-Star Weekend was up 158% compared to 2023. While technically accurate, many fans saw it as a deliberate attempt to avoid the real story: the massive dip from the Caitlin Clark-fueled 2024 event.

“Why not compare the 2025 ASG ratings with those from 2024? Oh, WE ALL KNOW WHY,” one fan posted.
“It dropped 36% from last year. It’s about one person. Any other narrative is just disingenuous virtue signaling,” another added.

“1.2 million fewer viewers this year than last year with Clark playing,” echoed another user.

The Clark Effect

This isn’t the first time Caitlin Clark’s impact on viewership has been measured. When she missed five games in June due to a quad injury, the WNBA saw an overall 55% decline in viewership, and the Indiana Fever specifically lost 53% of their audience.

Those numbers weren’t isolated. Clark’s college games at Iowa regularly set records, and her entry into the WNBA brought national attention like the league had never seen. From jersey sales to ticket demand and media coverage, she has been the defining figure of the WNBA’s current growth surge.

Fans See Through ESPN’s Spin

Many fans called ESPN’s attempt to spin the numbers as misleading and tone-deaf. While the network pointed out an 89% increase in Skills Challenge viewership and a 3% bump in the 3-Point Contest, the main event — the actual All-Star Game — took a clear step backward from last year, largely due to Clark’s absence.

Some accused ESPN of trying to downplay her importance in the name of broader messaging. But others said the move insulted viewers’ intelligence.

“You’re not fooling anyone,” a viral post read. “We all saw the dip, and we all know who makes the difference.”

A League Still Learning How to Handle a Star

The WNBA finds itself in an unprecedented situation: balancing growth and equity while managing a once-in-a-generation superstar in Caitlin Clark. Her presence has undeniably boosted the league’s profile, but it also raises difficult questions about marketing, coverage, and how the league embraces her while giving credit to other players.

Yet one thing is undeniable — when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play, fans tune out. And when that’s not acknowledged, fans speak up.