WNBA All-Star weekend returns to Chicago this weekend, and the league’s fan fest “has grown to a sprawling three-day event at McCormick Place.” The WNBA “expects 30,000 fans to attend the fest that features 34 brands.” On Thursday, “many influential people in women’s basketball gathered” at the WNBA All-Star Media and Innovation Summit at the Obama Presidential Center’s Home Court to “address topics affecting the sport.” Among the speakers was 2026 Basketball HOF inductee Candace Parker. The Obama Center also “will host media day for the All-Stars on Friday, while various events around Chicago will be held to engage fans” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/23).
Storm G Natisha Hiedeman and Lynx G Courtney Williams, known as the StudBudz, are “running back their live stream on Twitch” for the WNBA All-Star festivities. The stream started at around 2:30pm ET on Thursday, and “more than 7,000 people were watching.” The two will “again give fans an inside glimpse of All-Star weekend with a 72-hour live stream.” This season, the stream is “even sponsored by AT&T.” Thus, the pair has “switched from their signature pink hair dye to blue” (USA TODAY, 7/23).