The NCAA women’s basketball national championship game between South Carolina and Iowa broke records with 18.7 million views, peaking at 24 million viewers. This was an 89% increase from the previous year and a 285% increase from 2022. It was the most-watched sporting event outside of American football and the Olympics since 2019. The matchup between Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks and Caitlin Clark’s Hawkeyes drew attention as South Carolina aimed to remain undefeated and win their second championship in three seasons, while Clark hoped to end her collegiate career with a national championship. Despite scoring 30 points, Clark was unable to lead Iowa to victory.
Caitlin Clark’s performance and impact on women’s basketball were recognized by South Carolina’s head coach, Dawn Staley. Staley thanked Clark for elevating the sport and predicted that she would continue to do so in the WNBA. Staley praised Clark as one of the greatest of all time in the game and expressed gratitude for her contributions. Iowa’s recent games have also contributed to record-breaking ratings, with their close win against UConn being the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever with 14.2 million viewers. Before that, their victory over LSU had 12.3 million viewers.
The attention and viewership generated by Caitlin Clark and the Iowa women’s basketball team have been significant in promoting the sport and drawing in new fans. Clark’s scoring prowess and impact on the game have garnered global attention and helped increase interest in women’s basketball. The rise in ratings for the NCAA women’s basketball national championship game indicates a growing audience and interest in women’s sports, particularly in the collegiate level. The success of teams like South Carolina and players like Clark has shown that women’s basketball can attract a large following and compete with other major sporting events.
The historic ratings for the NCAA women’s basketball national championship game reflect the growing popularity of women’s sports and the talent of athletes like Caitlin Clark. The increased viewership and attention for women’s basketball have been attributed to the performance of teams like South Carolina and Iowa, as well as individual players like Clark who have captivated audiences. The success of the Gamecocks and the impact of players like Clark have helped elevate the sport and draw in new fans. The record-breaking ratings for the championship game indicate a positive trend for women’s basketball and highlight the incredible talent and competitiveness within the sport.
Overall, the NCAA women’s basketball national championship game between South Carolina and Iowa drew record-breaking ratings and showcased the talent and competitiveness of the teams and players involved. The success of Caitlin Clark and the impact of players like her on the sport of women’s basketball have been instrumental in driving interest and viewership. The recognition and praise given to players like Clark by coaches and fans demonstrate the significant impact they have on the game. The record-breaking ratings for the championship game highlight the growing popularity and visibility of women’s sports, particularly in collegiate basketball. With continued success and support, women’s basketball is poised to be a prominent and competitive sport in the future.
