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[SPORTS] · United States · 19 sources

Part of situation: Clark Controversy, All‑Star Refusal, Abuse Fight (87 clusters)

Caitlin Clark Declines WNBA 3‑Point Contest, Impacting All‑Star Weekend

Caitlin Clark WNBA 3‑point contest All‑Star Weekend ESPN Sabrina Ionescu

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark turned down the WNBA’s invitation to compete in the 2026 All‑Star 3‑Point Contest. The league also confirmed that Sabrina Ionescu and Kayla McBride declined their invites, leaving the event without its three biggest star draws.

The decision has drawn criticism from commentators and fans. ESPN, the broadcast partner for the All‑Star weekend, warned that the absence of Clark—a proven ratings driver—will reduce viewership and advertising value. Former columnist Dan Dakich and other pundits accused Clark of neglecting a league‑building obligation, while Ionescu later said she never received an official invitation and therefore could not decline.

The WNBA’s new collective‑bargaining agreement raises the prize money for contest winners, but participants now earn only a fraction of that amount. The league hopes the remaining lineup—Azzi Fudd, Marina Mabrey, Rhyne Howard, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman and Janelle Salaün—will sustain fan interest as the All‑Star Game proceeds on Saturday in Chicago.

Sources

USA Today Tried To Write Another Hit Piece About Caitlin Clark And It Blew Up In Their In Hilarious Fashion [brobible.com]
2 days ago
BLK ALERTS - ‘Inartful comparison’: USA Today columnist addresses invoking Emmett Till in Caitlin Clark story [blkalerts.com]
3 days ago
How an improved WNBA free agency has helped players grow into All-Stars [www.theixsports.com]
2 days ago
Lynx Star Kayla McBride Blasts WNBA's 'Half-Ass' 3-Point Contest Invite - Timesng [timesng.com]
3 days ago
Caitlin Clark declines WNBA 3-Point Contest invitation, dealing major blow to All-Star Weekend and ESPN [ubirataonline.com.br]
4 days ago
WNBA Three Point Contest Best Bets (2026) [www.bettingpros.com]
3 days ago
Exciting Caitlin Clark announcement made before WNBA All-Star Game [www.chicitysports.com]
2 days ago
Caitlin Clark featured on NBA 2K27 Deluxe Edition cover [dailyiowan.com]
3 days ago
Caitlin Clark Skips WNBA 3-Point Contest: What Her Decision Really Means for the League - Game 7 [itsgame7.com]
2 days ago
WNBA 3-Point Contest: Participants, records, prize money and full list of winners [fansided.com]
2 days ago
2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend: 3-Point Contest Predictions, Finalists and Winner [ballislife.com]
3 days ago
WNBA 3-point contest and skills contest prize money: Why winners earn more than All-Star participants [ca.sports.yahoo.com]
3 days ago
WNBA Reporter Alleges 3-Point Record Holder Snubbed All-Star Event, but She Calls It a Lie [www.essentiallysports.com]
3 days ago
Fever's Caitlin Clark Delivers Final Message Before All-Star Game [heavy.com]
3 days ago
Where to watch WNBA Shooting Stars, 3-Point Contest tonight on free streams, TV [www.pennlive.com]
2 days ago
Aliyah Boston’s Reasons to ‘Refuse’ Guarding Kelsey Mitchell Are Relatable [www.si.com]
2 days ago
"It's bulls**t she's not participating" - Dan Dakich Rips Into Caitlin Clark For Declining All-Star 3-Point Contest [www.sportskeeda.com]
3 days ago
Where to watch the WNBA 3-Point Contest today for free [www.syracuse.com]
2 days ago
WNBA All-Star Game betting preview: Team Coop's guards could give them the edge over Team Spoon [www.foxnews.com]
2 days ago