Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu to Face Off in WNBA 3-Point Contest

The prize money for the winner will be more than $62,000, with $60,000 coming from a sponsor secured by the WNBPA.

Caitlin Clark
Grace Smith/USA Today Network via Imagn Images

The wait is over. Caitlin Clark will participate in her first professional 3-point contest during the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend.

The WNBA announced Tuesday that Clark will be one of five participants for Friday’s contest. The other four participants are also 2025 All-Stars: Sabrina Ionescu, the event’s record holder, Kelsey Plum, Sonia Citron, and defending champion Allisha Gray.

Clark did not join the contest last year and passed on participating in a special 3-point shooting contest during the 2025 NBA All-Star weekend. ESPN reported she wanted the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend, which will be hosted by the Indiana Fever, to be her first shootout.

The league also announced the Skills Challenge participants: Natasha Cloud, Skylar Diggins, Erica Wheeler, Courtney Williams, and Gray—who, last year, became the first player in league history to win both events in the same year.

60,000 Reasons

The winner of the WNBA’s 3-point contest and Skills Challenge wins $2,575, according to the league’s current CBA. However, last year, the players’ union announced a partnership with insurance company Aflac that awarded an additional $55,000 to the winner of each challenge. Gray took home more than $115,000 for winning both contests.

The partnership, however, was announced just a day before the 2024 All-Star weekend.

This year, Aflac added an additional $5,000 to the winner of the 3-point contest, an announcement that was made in April. The $60,000 also matches the first-prize purse for the NBA’s 3-point contest winner.

Ratings Win

Day 1 of last year’s WNBA All-Star weekend averaged 695,000 viewers on ESPN, the league’s largest audience for the exhibition contests. But the number has room to grow, considering how more than 20 WNBA telecasts featuring Clark drew more than 1 million viewers last season.

For comparison, the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game averaged 3.44 million viewers on ABC, the league’s most-watched broadcast since Clark was drafted.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jun 19, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles against the Golden State Valkyries during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

All 44 of Caitlin Clark’s Fever Games Will Be on National TV

This season marks the first of the WNBA’s new rights deal.
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

How the Patriots Are Stage-Managing the Vrabel-Russini Fallout

Vrabel finally gave brief and vague remarks on the scandal on Tuesday.

Fever GM: Team Must Think ‘Long Term’ With Clark Payday Incoming

Sophie Cunningham’s comments about her contract raised eyebrows this week.
Apr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Steve Kerr Looms as Top TV Target Amid Coaching Uncertainty

Kerr previously served as TNT’s top game analyst

Featured Today

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.

Allyson Felix: Nike Pregnancy Fight Was ‘Worth the Storm’

Felix left after Nike proposed a pay cut when she was pregnant.
April 16, 2026

French Open Will Allow Wearables Like Whoop on ‘Trial Basis’

The trial will extend to the US Open and Wimbledon.
November 28, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) catches a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium.
April 20, 2026

Former NFL Pro Adam Thielen Is Betting on the Youth Sports Boom

“We want to help athletes get better wherever they’re at.”
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
April 15, 2026

Sophia Wilson on Returning to Soccer With a Million-Dollar Deal

Wilson became the NWSL’s first million-dollar player this offseason.
Apr 11, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm (28) throws to first against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park.
April 14, 2026

Alec Bohm’s Family Feud Heats Up As Parents Push Back

The third baseman claims his parents took advantage of him.
Jan 13, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks to shoot a jump shot against the Portland Trail Blazers in the third quarter at Chase Center.
April 14, 2026

Steph Curry Auctions 75 Pairs of Shoes As Sneaker Free Agency Looms

Sneakers Curry wore to a 2010 game are going for more than $50,000.
April 14, 2026

Valkyries GM Avoids Questions After Draft Trade: ‘I’m Exhausted’

Golden State traded Flau’jae Johnson to Seattle for two second-rounders.