The WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago proved that despite online negativity, the league can lean into joy and celebrate its 30th season with a record crowd and a surprise appearance by former President Barack Obama.
Record Crowd and Obama Cameo Highlight All-Star Weekend
The festivities at the United Center drew 19,783 fans, a historic attendance for the All-Star Game. The weekend began with a practice session at the Barack Obama Presidential Center, where the former president briefly showed off his basketball skills after being surprise-attacked by New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones. Obama offered words of encouragement to players, including Caitlin Clark: “You’re great. You’re fantastic. Don’t let all this nonsense get you down. Don’t lose that joy.”
Overcoming Pre-Game Headaches
The buildup to the All-Star Game was not without controversy. The week before, Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello was caught on a hot mic calling Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese a “protected species,” leading to a one-game suspension and a heartfelt apology. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham used transphobic language in an apparent defense against the nickname “Maga Barbie,” telling ESPN she wants to “protect young girls in the locker room” from “biological men.” These incidents, along with hard fouls and officiating changes, threatened to overshadow the event.
Players and Coaches Embrace Positivity
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams emphasized staying positive: “I lean into the love, for sure. I feel in the W, as opposed to men’s sports, there’s more pressure to be online. If you don’t like the ’net, get off the ’net.” Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon echoed that sentiment, saying, “I think the biggest mistake is maybe the people that talk the most know the least on some of these topics. They don’t have a good pulse on our league at times.”
Commissioner Engelbert Acknowledges Need for Better Communication
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the media on Saturday, admitting her leadership could improve. “There’s no doubt I need to be better. Everybody needs to be better at communication, I think, all the time,” she said. Engelbert also dismissed the idea that the league only responds to social media outcry, noting that processes around fines, suspensions, and investigations are already in place. She highlighted the league’s commitment to player safety, both on and off the court.
Diversity and Joy as Core Strengths
Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard told the Guardian that diversity makes the league stronger: “I think anytime you have diversity, anytime you have people who have different stories, it definitely creates a nice environment. I think also for the younger generation, it gives everyone someone to look up to that maybe has a similar story to them.” Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson added, “All-Star is really all about coming together in this place.”
A Weekend of Celebration and Progress
The weekend ended with announcements from Engelbert, including a replay center to improve officiating next season. Despite the challenges, the WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago was a resounding success, showcasing the league’s growth, resilience, and ability to focus on joy. As players return to the regular season, they carry with them the high of a historic and uplifting event.
