The national championship game between South Carolina and Iowa set a record for the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever, with an average of 18.9 million viewers tuning in. The South Carolina Gamecocks emerged victorious, defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 to finish the season undefeated. The game was broadcast on ABC and ESPN and peaked at 24.1 million viewers in the final 15 minutes, showing a significant increase in viewership from the previous two national championship games.
Caitlin Clark, a college superstar playing her last game for the Iowa Hawkeyes, played a historic role in drawing attention to the game. Clark became the all-time NCAA Division I scoring leader, surpassing a record that had stood for 54 years. She is expected to be the top draft pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, with the Las Vegas Aces already showing interest in her. The attention generated by Clark has highlighted the growing interest in women’s basketball and the need for continued development of talented players and teams in the sport.
Following their victory, the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrated on campus, with coach Dawn Staley praising Caitlin Clark as one of the greatest of all time in the sport. Staley emphasized the importance of continuing to showcase talented players and teams to maintain the high levels of viewership seen in the national championship game. She expressed confidence in the future of women’s basketball, noting that the sport is in high demand and that fans are eager to see the talent it has to offer.
The historic ratings for the national championship game have solidified its place as one of the most-watched non-Olympic women’s sporting events on U.S. television, second only to the 2015 Women’s World Cup Final. Additionally, it is the most-watched basketball game, regardless of gender or level, in the past five years. The success of the game and the increased interest in women’s basketball can be attributed to the performance of standout players like Caitlin Clark and the dedication of coaches like Dawn Staley to showcase the talent and competitiveness of the sport.
The record-setting viewership numbers for the national championship game reflect a growing interest in women’s basketball and the impact of star players like Caitlin Clark. The attention generated by the game highlights the need for continued investment in women’s sports and the development of talented athletes. With the upcoming WNBA draft and the continued success of women’s basketball programs across the country, the future looks bright for the sport and its potential to attract even larger audiences in the years to come. Fans can expect to see more thrilling games and inspiring performances as women’s basketball continues to grow in popularity and recognition on a national scale.
