The mood Friday morning at the Barack Obama Presidential Center was ebullient, partly because former president Barack Obama himself joined the WNBA All-Stars for practice. He briefly showed moves in jeans and loafers after being surprise-attacked by Jonquel Jones. But beyond that, everyone was simply excited to be there. All-Star offers a respite from the regular season, a couple of days of rest or time with friends.
Last year’s All-Star Game in Indianapolis was under a cloud of tension as players negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement. Fans chanted “Pay them!” at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. A year later, the CBA is done and players are getting paid, but the weeks before this summer’s All-Star Game were filled with headaches. An offseason taskforce on officiating is still rolling out changes; hard fouls like Alyssa Thomas accidentally pushing her fist into Caitlin Clark’s throat were inflamed online. The week before the game saw two incidents against the league’s “No Space For Hate” platform: Toronto coach Sandy Brondello called Angel Reese a “protected species” on a hot mic, and Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham used transphobic language. Brondello apologized and was suspended one game; Cunningham doubled down on her stance.
Obama’s Message and a Record Crowd
Coverage of those events reached Obama. He told Clark: “You’re great. … Don’t let all this nonsense get you down. … Don’t lose that joy. The game’s the game, and you’re a hooper.” Clark said afterwards: “My hands were getting a little bit sweaty, … but that’s somebody like, just his presence commands a room.”
Despite potential messiness, the weekend became one of the best in league history, ending with a historic attendance of 19,783 at United Center and announcements from Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, including a replay center for stronger officiating next season.
Players and Coaches on Staying Positive
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams said: “I lean into the love, for sure. … If you like to be on the ’net, be on the ’net. If you don’t like the ’net, get off the ’net.” Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon noted: “I think the biggest mistake is maybe the people that talk the most know the least on some of these topics. … Honestly, I don’t really pay attention so much to what everybody else is saying either.”
The average age of WNBA players is about 27; internet use is near-universal. The StudBudz duo ran a 24-hour Twitch stream, and many use Threads and Instagram to interact with fans. Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard said: “I think anytime you have diversity, … it creates a nice environment. … gives everyone someone to look up to.” Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson said: “That’s what All-Star is really all about. We come together in this place.”
Commissioner Engelbert Acknowledges Need for Better Communication
Engelbert, who can’t avoid the internet, admitted her leadership could improve. She said there are “processes around fines, suspensions, and investigations” and dismissed the idea that the league only acts on social media outcry. CBA negotiations were “contentious,” but “we’re in a really good place.” She added: “The internet is a very complicated place. … Keyboard warriors are very, very adamant to get their messages through to our players.” Engelbert learned at a meeting with the WNBPA that crucial league communications are often missed. “There’s no doubt I need to be better. Everybody needs to be better at communication, I think, all the time.”
Chicago and the WNBA can bask in a job well done, with joy and celebration of 30 seasons as the mission. The league gets back to work this week, riding a very special high.
