The 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend is underway in Chicago, IL. As part of the weekend’s festivities, the league is hosting several events at the new Obama Presidential Center.
“Hosting AT&T WNBA All-Star events at the Obama Presidential Center is a true honor and reflects our commitment to creating connection through basketball and engaging communities in meaningful ways,” league Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “We’re excited to bring together the WNBA family and the greater Chicago community to create memorable experiences at this historic new venue.”
“We are thrilled to welcome the WNBA as our first professional sports league hosted at the Obama Presidential Center,” Valerie Jarrett, CEO at The Obama Foundation, said. “At the Center, we believe sports have the power to bring people together and create meaningful opportunities to build the next generation of leaders.”
On Friday, attendees of the events were even graced with a surprise appearance from former U.S. President Barack Obama himself.
The beloved President was even seen chatting it up with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
“A moment I’ll probably remember for the rest of my life.”
After the moment, Clark described to media members what the experience was like.
“When he walked through the door, which was super cool and awesome. And honestly, I think just complimenting me for the way I handle everything, obviously with everything going on,” Clark said. “And he’s somebody that’s been in front of the media quite a bit, and he like, always— he reminded me, he’s like, ‘you know, when I got famous in my 40s, I didn’t have to do it in my 20s.’
“And, you know, sometimes I think people don’t always realize, like, I’m 23 or 24 years old, and I’m trying to navigate a lot of different things while trying to play basketball at the same time. So, um, it was cool to hear that from him. And I think honestly, it’s probably a good reminder for all of us of treating people with respect, treating people with grace, and definitely a moment I’ll probably remember for the rest of my life. My hands don’t get usually pretty sweaty and clammy for certain things, but they did for that.”
“MAGA crowd is going to turn on her”
Clark’s excitement about meeting Obama left many fans shocked, as current President Donald Trump, who has made his feelings on Obama clear in the past, recently voiced his support for Clark, calling her a “young, wonderful basketball player.”
“Unfortunately, the MAGA crowd is going to turn on her once this video begins to circulate on the internet,” one fan wrote on X.
“Rough day for the mfs who push maga on her,” another fan added, “first she endorsed Kamala, then her brother confirmed she voted blue, now she’s wit Obama & will somehow still be labeled maga.”
“What???? how???? MAGA hates Obama. Why is she talking to him??? I can’t believe she would do this!!!” one fan wrote sarcastically.
“Everyone knows it was a fake and fraudulent compliment that deep down he absolutely hates and detest her just like the rest of the woke league as he was the one to Usher in the woke identity politics. A total piece of garbage who belongs in prison for treason,” another added.
Hopefully, the WNBA will move in a direction where the focus is more about the product on the floor than it is on politics and what goes on off of it.
