INDIANAPOLIS — The energy inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse was electric on Saturday night as a sold-out crowd witnessed a record-breaking WNBA All-Star Game. But beyond the dazzling performances and high-scoring spectacle, players made it clear: this weekend was about more than just basketball.
As both teams took the court for pregame warmups, nearly every player donned warm-up shirts bearing the phrase “Invest in Women” a message that resonated across social media and the arena alike. The shirts weren’t just symbolic; they were a call for increased support, fair pay, better facilities, and expanded charter travel all issues players have rallied around throughout the 2024 season.
Brittney Griner, making her All-Star return, said, “We love this game, but it’s time the world started valuing us the way we deserve. This weekend proves what women’s basketball can be when given the spotlight.”
The statement came on a night where the league shattered attendance and television records. The game itself, won 129–124 by Team Stewart over Team Wilson, featured a flurry of highlights, including a record 18 three-pointers and several jaw-dropping dunks. But the loudest applause came during a halftime tribute to Title IX pioneers and the current generation’s fight for equality.
Caitlin Clark, playing in her first All-Star Game, echoed the sentiment: “The support tonight was unbelievable, but it’s just the beginning. We want this energy every game, every city.”
As the WNBA rides a wave of unprecedented popularity, the players used their biggest stage to remind everyone what they’re still fighting for not just visibility, but equity. And judging by the reaction inside the arena and across the sports world, people are finally starting to listen.
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