Caitlin Clark’s incredible performance in Iowa’s victory over LSU in the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament set a new record for the most-watched women’s college basketball game in history. The game averaged 12.3 million viewers on ESPN, making it one of the most-viewed games in any sport other than NFL football over the past year. Clark scored 41 points in the Hawkeyes’ revenge win over LSU, surpassing the viewership of the 1983 NCAA championship game between USC and Louisiana Tech, which previously held the record.
The historic viewership of Iowa-LSU also made it the most-watched men’s or women’s college basketball game ever on ESPN, more than doubling the prior largest audience. This game surpassed the 2002 women’s national championship game between UConn and Oklahoma, which had the old mark at 5.68 million. Additionally, the only men’s NCAA Tournament game this year that had bigger viewership was North Carolina State’s win over Duke in the men’s Elite Eight on CBS, which averaged 15.1 million viewers.
In addition to the Iowa-LSU game, other women’s NCAA Tournament games have also been capturing the attention of viewers, with UConn’s win over Southern California on ESPN drawing 6.7 million viewers, the second-most watched college game in ESPN history. Iowa, who will face UConn in the national semifinal, has been drawing high viewership numbers in their recent games, with their win over Colorado averaging 6.9 million viewers on ABC. The overall viewership of the women’s tournament has seen a significant increase compared to last year, with an average of 1.5 million viewers for the 60 games, a 127% increase.
The success and popularity of women’s college basketball have been evident in the high viewership numbers seen in recent games, fueled by standout performances like Caitlin Clark’s in the NCAA Tournament. The excitement around the tournament and the compelling matchups have drawn in a wide audience, contributing to the record-breaking viewership numbers. The upcoming games in the tournament, including the national semifinal between Iowa and UConn, are sure to continue attracting attention and showcasing the talent and competitiveness of women’s college basketball.
The impact of these high viewership numbers goes beyond just this tournament, as they demonstrate the growing interest and support for women’s sports in general. The success of the women’s NCAA Tournament and the viewership records set by games like Iowa-LSU highlight the appeal and excitement of women’s college basketball, providing a platform for female athletes to showcase their skills and abilities on a national stage. As the tournament continues and more historic moments unfold, the legacy and influence of women’s basketball will only continue to grow.
Overall, the record-breaking viewership of the Iowa-LSU game and the success of the women’s NCAA Tournament as a whole serve as a testament to the talent, competitiveness, and appeal of women’s college basketball. The attention and support garnered by these games not only highlight the achievements of the athletes and teams involved but also showcase the increasing popularity and recognition of women’s sports. With more viewers tuning in and celebrating the accomplishments of female athletes, the future of women’s college basketball looks bright, promising continued growth and success for the sport.
