Rachel DeMita questions if WNBA players are planting seeds to boycott 2025 All-Star Game in Indiana amid worst fans narrative

In mid-August, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that next year’s All-Star Game will be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Fever. The occasion will mark the first time the franchise will host the league’s premiere regular season event. Most weren’t surprised by the decision as Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been unquestionably the league’s most popular player and crowd drawer.

Fever fans, though, have gotten flak from a handful of players who complained about their alleged toxicity and racist comments. Alyssa Thomas, the Connecticut Sun’s best player, complained about such abuse after her team eliminated Indiana from the playoffs. Angel Reese also said in her podcast that Clark’s fans have been going after her on social media.

Podcaster Rachel DeMita had this to say about the situation:

“Is it gonna get to a point where this narrative continues that Indiana’s the worst, Indiana’s fans are the worst and players are gonna boycott All-Star? They’re not gonna go because they don’t feel safe?”

A boycott will be disastrous for the WNBA, particularly at a time when it has never been this popular. The fans and the owners will be furious if the event does not push through or if some players do not suit up.

In 1964, NBA players threatened to boycott the All-Star Game if the league would not recognize the union and give in to financial demands. The owners and the league eventually conceded, allowing the East to face the West featuring stars such as Bill Russell, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain.

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When is the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game?

On August 15, 2024, Cathy Engelbert announced that the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will be on July 19, 2025, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana.

Players are selected by voting from fans (50%), fellow players (25%) and a panel of sportswriters and journalists (25%). The league usually uses an East versus West format but sometimes adapts the event for a bigger cause.

In 2020 and 2024, the All-Star game featured the Olympians against a selection from the league. In both cases, the WNBA team won.

In 2025, the league could go back to an All-Star game where the teams are named after their respective team captains. Team Stewart beat Team Wilson 143-127 in the last edition of the format.