This year, the women’s NCAA basketball final received higher ratings than the men’s final for the first time in history. The game between South Carolina and Iowa drew a total of 18.9 million viewers, peaking at 24.1 million in the final 15 minutes. This marked the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever and doubled the viewership of the previous year’s championship game. In comparison, the men’s final between the University of Connecticut and Purdue drew 14.8 million viewers, a slight increase from the previous year but fell short by 4 million viewers compared to the women’s final.
The main reason for the women’s final receiving higher ratings was the presence of Iowa sensation Caitlin Clark, who scored 30 points in her team’s defeat by South Carolina. Clark had a standout season, setting records and driving viewership throughout the regular season and the March Madness tournament. She finished the season as the highest scoring collegiate basketball player in history, surpassing past legends such as Pete Maravich. Clark is expected to be the top pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, further solidifying her impact on the sport.
Despite the success of this year’s women’s tournament, there are still disparities between women’s and men’s sports, particularly in terms of financial support and media coverage. The WNBA continues to lag behind the NBA in terms of revenue and viewership, with significantly less coverage on platforms like ESPN. However, the league is growing, and the addition of a high-profile celebrity player like Clark could potentially shift the landscape and improve the WNBA’s visibility and popularity.
The increased viewership and success of the women’s championship game have sparked discussions about gender equality in sports, with many believing that women’s sports are finally getting the recognition they deserve. However, Clark’s transition to the WNBA and the challenges she may face in a league with lower financial resources will test these theories. Despite these obstacles, the potential for a star player like Clark to elevate the profile of the WNBA remains a possibility and could lead to positive changes for the league.
In addition to the women’s final, the men’s college basketball final saw UConn win its second-straight championship, defeating Purdue. This victory garnered less attention compared to the women’s final, with the focus largely on Clark’s impact on the women’s game. Overall, the success of this year’s NCAA basketball tournaments, particularly on the women’s side, has brought attention to the disparities between men’s and women’s sports and the potential for growth and improvement in the future.
