Friday night’s Women’s Final Four college basketball game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the UConn Huskies made history by becoming the most-viewed women’s basketball game on record. The game, which ended in a 71-69 victory for Iowa, averaged 14.2 million viewers on ESPN, with a peak of 17 million viewers. This record-breaking viewership surpassed that of major sporting events such as every World Series game and NBA Finals game from the past year, every Daytona 500 race since 2013, and most college football games in 2023.
The previous record for viewership was set just a few days earlier, when Iowa played against LSU in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women’s Tournament, drawing 12.3 million viewers. The popularity of the game can be attributed to the presence of Caitlin Clark, the standout player for Iowa who has been a sensation in women’s basketball throughout the season. Her performance, along with that of UConn star Paige Bueckers, contributed to the excitement and draw of the game. Despite neither player leading in scoring, both Clark and Bueckers played key roles in their teams’ performance.
As a result of their victory over UConn, the Iowa Hawkeyes will advance to the championship game to face the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks. The Gamecocks, with a record of 38-0, will be seeking their third national title in program history and their second in three years. In contrast, Iowa is still in search of its first national title in program history, having fallen short in the championship game last season against LSU. With a strong competitor in South Carolina, Iowa will be looking to secure their first championship win.
While the viewership for the championship game may not reach the same heights as the Elite Eight or Final Four games, the presence of Caitlin Clark on the court is expected to draw significant interest. The 22-year-old phenom has been instrumental in elevating the women’s sport and capturing the attention of fans throughout the season. Her impact, along with the competition between Iowa and South Carolina, promises an exciting and intense final showdown that fans won’t want to miss.
In addition to the individual performances of Clark and Bueckers, the matchup between Iowa and UConn in the Women’s Final Four showcased an impressive display of skill and talent from both teams. Despite ultimately falling short, UConn put up a strong fight against Iowa, with both teams delivering a memorable and competitive game. The stage is now set for an exciting championship matchup between Iowa and South Carolina, where two powerhouse teams will compete for the ultimate title in women’s college basketball.
