As the league’s popularity continues to increase, the WNBA All-Star Game is set to receive even more of a national spotlight.
According to Front Office Sports’ Annie Costabile, Friday’s episode of ABC’s Good Morning America will air live from Indianapolis, which is scheduled to host the annual exhibition the following day.
“We’ve seen the All-Star game over the last handful of years become this big event in sports pop culture and the landscape of big summer events,” ESPN’s lead WNBA play-by-play broadcaster Ryan Ruocco told FOS. “When GMA goes somewhere, it’s validating and has this verifying effect on wherever they are. It signals ‘this is a big deal’ because GMA is there.”
Good Morning America‘s setup will see co-host Robin Roberts live in Indianapolis, while George Stephanopoulos and Michael Strahan remain in the show’s New York studios. The show is expected to feature interviews with WNBA All-Stars including Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier and Paige Bueckers, although an interview with Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark has yet to be confirmed.
Additionally, ESPN’s WNBA Countdown hosts Elle Duncan, Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike will join Roberts around 7:30 a.m. ET, with live performances from rappers G-Eazy and BIA being advertised for the program.
“It’s our 50th year,” Good Morning America executive producer Simone Swink told FOS. “So, we’re trying to find different ways to celebrate [the show] by reminding people where we come from and where we’re going.”
As for the game itself, that will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday with the event set to be broadcast on ABC for the third consecutive year. And if last year’s WNBA All-Star Game — which marked the most-watched version of the event with an average of 3.44 million viewers — is any indication, then there will be plenty of eyeballs on Indianapolis this weekend as the basketball world descends upon Clark’s home city.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.