The 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis delivered exactly what it needed to: high-level competition, meaningful instances, and a clear sense that the league is both rooted and rising. The return to the classic Team Captains format for the Game itself gave fans a heady dose of the familiar. Hometown hero Caitlin Clark, despite sitting out with a groin injury, still played a significant role — on the bench, locked in, even coaching. Meanwhile, leading Most Valuable Player candidate Napheesa Collier took full advantage of the spotlight, scoring a record-breaking 36 points in a stunning display of her trademark efficiency. Her performance was both dominant and polished, making her claim to the hardware academic.
The WNBA introduced a new wrinkle to the Game with the four-point shot, and presumptive Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers wasted no time making history by draining the first. In the process, she got the hoopla, no pun intended, under way the right way—with fun and freshness, as much a sign as any that the league is willing to experiment without diluting the very factors that make the festivities memorable. It doesn’t always get innovation right, but this one landed smoothly.
Arguably, the previous night produced even greater spectacle. The Liberty emerged as big winners, with starters Natasha Cloud and Sabrina Ionescu taking the Skills Challenge and Three-Point Contest, respectively, in intense fashion. From the outside looking in, the supposed warm-up acts set the tone for the weekend: one with a competitive edge, but sprinkled with joy — players hyping each other up, fans staying engaged throughout, and all and sundry invested in outcomes.
Significantly, the players knew well enough to use the stage to send a message. Just before the All-Star Game tipped off, they all wore matching black shirts with the inscription “Pay us what you owe us.” The statement was direct and yet controlled. With looming negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement, it was a show of force that underscored they know their value and are not afraid to stand for it. At the same time, the mode of delivery ensured it did not choke the life out of the fan-friendly atmosphere. If anything, it made developments feel even more grounded in purpose.
The WNBA needed the weekend to be a smash hit — and it was. It helped, of course, that Indianapolis is Hoosiers nation. In any case, the moments added up. The competitions had meaning, both professionally and personally. And, if nothing else, the league managed to celebrate the present with a cautiously optimistic eye toward the future.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
