The WNBA’s Harsh Lesson: Angel Reese’s Failed All-Star Takeover

Angel Reese thought she could step into Caitlyn Clark’s spotlight and claim the throne of the WNBA All-Star Weekend. The plan seemed perfect—flood the city with billboards, drop a signature Reebok shoe, and launch an “I’m in your city” campaign. But what was meant to be a coming-out moment turned into a marketing disaster. What went wrong, and what does it mean for Reese and the future of the WNBA? Here’s the story of Angel Reese’s failed attempt to replace Caitlyn Clark, and why it backfired in the biggest way possible.

The Setup: Angel Reese Takes Aim at Caitlyn Clark’s Crown

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend was supposed to be Angel Reese’s moment to shine. With her own signature Reebok shoe, the “Angel Reese 1,” hitting the market, she was ready to become the face of the WNBA’s new wave of stars. All eyes were on Indianapolis, where the All-Star Game was taking place in Caitlyn Clark’s hometown. Reese was poised to capitalize on the stage, launching her shoe and her “I’m in your city” campaign, which included billboards, social media ads, and videos showcasing her as the new queen of the league.

But there was one massive flaw in her plan: Caitlyn Clark wasn’t playing. Just before the All-Star break, Clark was sidelined with a groin injury, leaving the WNBA without its top draw. Without Clark’s magnetic presence, Reese was left holding the bag, her marketing campaign crumbling under the weight of missing the league’s biggest star.

The Timing That Destroyed Her Campaign

What Reese failed to grasp was the power of Caitlyn Clark’s influence. In the previous year, Clark’s All-Star appearance shattered records, drawing 3.44 million viewers. Fans weren’t just tuning in to watch a game—they were watching a cultural moment, a testament to Clark’s star power. But when Clark wasn’t on the floor in 2025, the numbers dropped drastically. Viewership plummeted 36%, a stark contrast to the record-breaking year prior. It wasn’t just a minor dip—it was a full-on collapse, all because the WNBA couldn’t count on its top star.

For Reese, this wasn’t just a missed opportunity—it was a lesson in understanding true star power. Her flashy campaign, aimed at riding the coattails of Clark’s legacy, ended up being a major turnoff for fans. As the weekend unfolded, fans started noticing the glaring issue. Reese wasn’t simply competing with Clark; she was trying to mimic her success without the substance that made Clark the undeniable force she is.

The “I’m In Your City” Campaign: Desperation or Boldness?

Reese’s bold “I’m in your city” campaign was supposed to convey confidence, but it came off as desperate. The idea was to take over Indianapolis, Clark’s hometown, with Reese’s own brand. The billboards, the ads, the social media blitz—it was all there, but the excitement was missing. The fans knew that Clark wasn’t playing, and they weren’t buying into the idea of someone trying to fill her shoes, literally and figuratively.

It didn’t help that Reese’s signature shoe, the Angel Reese 1, launched with all the fanfare Reebok could muster, but failed to capture the public’s attention. The excitement that surrounded the release was absent. Fans weren’t lining up to get their hands on the latest sneaker. The launch, once a highly anticipated event, went out with a whimper. It didn’t help that the shoe retailed for $1,000—a price that only added to the feeling of disconnect between Reese and her potential fanbase.

The Harsh Reality: Marketing Isn’t Enough Without Real Star Power

The real problem for Reese wasn’t just poor timing. It was a fundamental misunderstanding of how true star power is built. Caitlyn Clark didn’t become a cultural icon because of flashy ads and catchy slogans. She didn’t sell out arenas with a clever marketing campaign. Her success came from years of elite play, clutch performances, and a personal connection with her fans. The relationship between Clark and her followers is grounded in authenticity.

Reese, on the other hand, tried to shortcut the process. She assumed that aligning herself with Clark’s image would automatically elevate her. But it doesn’t work that way. Star power isn’t something you can buy. It’s something you earn through hard work, consistent performance, and a connection to the audience. When Clark is on the court, people show up. When she’s not, the WNBA’s star-studded events fall flat.

The Fallout: A Blatant Exposure of the Divide

When the All-Star Game rolled around, the difference between Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese couldn’t have been clearer. While Clark’s absence was disappointing, Reese’s failure to capitalize on the opportunity exposed the gulf between the two. Viewership for the game sank by 36%. Ticket prices dropped by nearly 50%. The excitement that was supposed to surround Reese’s campaign evaporated, leaving her in a precarious position.

Even Reebok, in its attempt to capitalize on Reese’s brand, made a glaring mistake. In the Netflix docu-series Power Moves, Shaquille O’Neal was caught commenting on how Reese needed to be “dressed head to toe in Reebok gear” when facing off against Clark, acknowledging that Reese’s brand only popped when she was in Clark’s shadow. This awkwardly exposed the truth—Reese wasn’t standing out on her own merit; she was being propped up by Clark’s legacy.

The Final Lesson: Authenticity Over Hype

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will go down in history, not for Reese’s failed shoe launch or her cringeworthy attempt at dominating Clark’s turf, but for what it revealed about the true nature of stardom. Caitlyn Clark isn’t just another player in the league—she’s the heartbeat of the WNBA. Her influence transcends the court, and without her, the league feels hollow.

Angel Reese’s marketing failure served as a harsh reminder of what it takes to truly build a brand in professional sports. You can’t sell a product by simply associating it with someone else’s greatness. Authenticity is everything, and the numbers don’t lie. Caitlyn Clark is the real deal, and anyone trying to emulate her success without earning it will inevitably fall short.

The Bottom Line:

The WNBA learned a tough lesson in 2025: When you take away Caitlyn Clark, the league suffers. Fans flock to see her, and they stay for her. If Reese wants to succeed, she needs to step out of Clark’s shadow and build her own legacy—one that isn’t based on marketing gimmicks but on true basketball greatness. Until then, no amount of flashy billboards or signature shoes will save her from the cold reality of the WNBA’s harsh spotlight.