Historic NCAA Women's Championship Viewership on ESPN

According to ESPN, Sunday’s NCAA women’s championship showdown between Iowa and South Carolina shattered records, drawing an unprecedented 18.7 million viewers, marking a historic milestone for women’s college basketball. The broadcast peaked at an astounding 24 million viewers across ABC and ESPN, establishing it as the most-watched basketball game in both men’s and women’s college or professional sports since 2019.

This remarkable viewership figure eclipsed previous benchmarks, including the highly anticipated matchups featuring Caitlin Clark and her Iowa Hawkeyes earlier in the tournament. Notably, the clash against LSU garnered 12.3 million viewers, while the electrifying Final Four showdown against perennial rivals University of Connecticut attracted 14.2 million viewers. Clark, who has been a sensation in her final season with Iowa, captured the hearts of fans with her stellar performance, including breaking Pete Maravich’s all-time scoring record in college basketball. With her exceptional talent, Clark is widely tipped to be the top pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft.

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Despite Clark’s impressive individual achievements, the ultimate prize eluded her grasp as Iowa fell short against Dawn Staley’s formidable South Carolina squad in a hard-fought 87-75 defeat. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro hailed the championship game as a fitting conclusion to the most-watched NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in history. He lauded the exceptional athletes, coaches, and teams for captivating audiences in unprecedented ways, underscoring the profound impact of their collective performance on the broader sporting landscape.

The historic viewership figures not only highlight the growing popularity of women’s college basketball but also underscore the increasing demand for diverse and inclusive sporting content. As the momentum continues to build, propelled by star players like Caitlin Clark and the remarkable achievements of teams like South Carolina, the future of women’s basketball appears brighter than ever. With each thrilling matchup, these athletes inspire generations of fans and pave the way for a more equitable and celebrated sporting landscape.