In a move that silenced her harshest critics and further cemented her status as the face of the WNBA, Caitlin Clark has broken the league’s All-Star voting record—quietly, but unmistakably.
With 1,399,900 fan votes, Clark not only led all players in this year’s All-Star voting but shattered the previous high by a staggering margin. The rookie phenom from the Indiana Fever has captivated fans and transformed the WNBA into a national conversation—and her All-Star voting haul confirms it.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Clark’s vote total is more than 14 times higher than last year’s leading vote-getter (A’ja Wilson with 95,860). It also tops the combined total of the top 30 vote-getters in 2023, highlighting the seismic shift she has brought to the league’s popularity.
Her top-ranking in the fan vote (50% of total weight) and a strong media vote (25%) secured her captain status alongside Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier. However, it was her 9th-place ranking among fellow WNBA players that drew initial backlash.
The Player Vote Controversy
When it was revealed that Clark received just 9th place in the player vote—despite leading in every other category—several sports personalities lashed out at what they saw as jealousy or pettiness.
Longtime broadcaster Dick Vitale called it “pure jealousy,” while FOX’s Colin Cowherd claimed there was “obviously a racial component,” arguing that Clark was being unfairly snubbed despite her contributions to the league’s booming popularity.
But as the full breakdown of the voting process emerged—showing Clark had earned captain status fair and square—those loud voices fell largely silent.
Clark Responds with Grace
Clark, never one to chase headlines, dismissed the drama with humility and focus.
“It’s a fun way to get fans involved,” she said when asked about the fan vote, “but I just want to go out there and play the game I love.”
Her calm demeanor and team-first attitude have only endeared her more to fans and media alike.
The Caitlin Clark Effect
What critics can no longer deny is this: Caitlin Clark is not just a rookie. She is a revolution.
Since entering the league, Clark has:
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Boosted WNBA TV ratings to record highs — averaging 1.32 million viewers per game
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Helped achieve the highest WNBA attendance in 26 years
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Led a surge in jersey sales, social media engagement, and sponsor interest
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Turned games into must-see events, including multiple sold-out road games
The phrase “Caitlin Clark effect” has gone from social media buzz to an economic and cultural phenomenon.
What Comes Next?
Clark and Collier will co-captain Team WNBA against the USA Basketball Women’s National Team in the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game—a rare format designed to prepare Team USA for the Olympics. It will be Clark’s first All-Star appearance but almost certainly not her last.
The haters may have started loud. But now, as the data—and the fans—speak louder, even the loudest critics have gone quiet.
TL;DR: Caitlin Clark just shattered the WNBA All-Star voting record, proved her doubters wrong, and did it all with class. The league is better, louder, and more watched because of her. And the silence of her critics? That’s just the sound of a new era beginning.
