The Women’s Final Four basketball game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the UConn Huskies made history with an average of 14.2 million viewers on ESPN, making it the most-viewed women’s basketball game on record. Richard Deitsch of The Athletic shared the numbers on Twitter, noting that the game peaked at 17 million viewers. This game topped major sporting events such as the World Series games, NBA Finals games, Daytona 500, and Masters final round viewership in recent years. The previous record was set just days earlier when Iowa played LSU in the Elite Eight, drawing 12.3 million viewers.
The Iowa-UConn game was the most-viewed in any sport other than college football and the NFL in recent years, largely due to the presence of Hawkeye superstar Caitlin Clark. The 22-year-old sharpshooter has been a standout in women’s basketball all season and has helped elevate the sport’s popularity. Clark, along with UConn star Paige Bueckers, led their teams in an intense matchup that saw Iowa emerge victorious. Both players put up impressive performances, with Clark scoring 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, and Bueckers adding 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the game.
Iowa’s win over UConn means they will advance to the championship game, where they will face the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks. The Gamecocks, with a record of 38-0, will be aiming for their third national title, while Iowa is still seeking its first. Iowa fell short in last year’s championship game, losing to LSU, and will be looking to secure their first title against a tough opponent in South Carolina. Despite the potential for a smaller audience in the championship game compared to the Elite Eight and Final Four matchups, Caitlin Clark’s presence on the court is likely to draw attention and interest from fans.
The standout performances of Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers in the Iowa-UConn game highlight their impact on the popularity and success of women’s college basketball. Both players displayed their talent and determination on the court, helping their teams compete at the highest level. The strong viewership numbers for the game reflect the growing interest in women’s sports and the excitement surrounding the NCAA Women’s Tournament. As Iowa prepares to face South Carolina in the championship game, the stage is set for another thrilling matchup that could draw significant attention and further elevate the profile of women’s college basketball.
