"Other stars are privately happy Caitlin Clark will miss the WNBA's All-Star weekend" - Skip Bayless says absence of Clark during this weekend will only prove how huge of a star she is
With the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend taking place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, all eyes were naturally on local sensation Caitlin Clark, who was expected to showcase why she's reckoned as the next big cultural icon from the basketball world, courtesy of her fandom.
However, the worst happened as the Indiana Fever guard went down with a right groin injury and now will miss all festivities.
For Skip Bayless, while the players may feel excited at the prospect of now getting more limelight, this unfortunate absence will only reinforce just how valuable Clark's mere presence truly is to this league and the women's basketball scene.
Bayless knows the WNBA All-Star weekend will suffer because of Clark's absence
Given that Caitlin has been battling injuries since the beginning of the 2025 campaign, speculations had already risen about how jealousy from her peers might be the source behind the relentless physicality she's faced. Now, with her latest injury ruling her out of this star-studded exhibition throughout the weekend, Bayless believes the WNBA players are going to realize firsthand what harm they have brought upon themselves.
Even though stars like Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, A'ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu are all ready to make this event as memorable as possible, Skip is certain that Caitlin's absence is a void too large to fill, even by these players.
Moreover, the veteran sports media analyst went two steps ahead on social media, proclaiming that the WNBA world, which conveniently overlooks or downplays Clark's role in elevating the league globally, is soon going to learn the harsh truth about the real scenario.
"No doubt other stars are privately happy Caitlin Clark will miss the WNBA's All-Star weekend so they can get more of the attention they believe they deserve," Bayless wrote.
"Instead, plummeting ratings will drive home the fact SHE is by far the biggest reason for the W's exploding popularity," he pointed out.Will the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend be a success?
There is no denying that her absence leaves a mark, especially with the event being hosted in Indiana, where many local fans were eager to cheer for their hometown star. While this doesn't necessarily mean viewership will drop significantly, signs like the ticket prices being decreased by 48 percent highlight how Clark's influence is undeniable.
Furthermore, other numbers also speak for themselves. ABC recently recorded its most-watched WNBA game ever when Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings faced off against Clark and the Indiana Fever, drawing an average of 2.1 million viewers. So, this means when even the most hypes prospects take the stage, it is their battle against Clark that makes fans grab their screens.
So, if the WNBA players truly want to prove their worth and shut critics like Skip for downplaying the potential and star power, this All-Star weekend must be a huge success. Because if the ratings and viewership hold strong, there shall and can be no denying that many in the WNBA community have contributed to igniting interest from fans.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see whether, after this weekend, one player will be credited even more for taking the league to another level.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
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