The NCAA women’s basketball national championship game on Sunday made history with a record-breaking 18.7 million viewers tuning in to watch Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark in action. South Carolina emerged victorious with an 87-75 win over Iowa at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, marking the most-watched basketball game since 2019.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised the exceptional athletes, coaches, and teams that captured the audience’s attention, calling it the most-viewed NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament ever. The semifinal matchup between Iowa and Connecticut on Friday also drew a significant audience of 14.2 million viewers, surpassing the viewership of last year’s World Series and NBA Finals games.
Caitlin Clark, who scored 30 points in the championship game, garnered national attention for breaking Division I scoring records for both men and women. The game marked her final college appearance as she prepares for the WNBA draft. South Carolina’s perfect season was capped off with the championship win, avenging their loss to Iowa in last year’s tournament.
Even “Saturday Night Live” took notice of the women’s basketball spotlight, with a spoof on the March Madness TV coverage highlighting the star power of players like Caitlin Clark. The disparity in interest between men’s and women’s college basketball was humorously addressed, emphasizing the growing popularity and recognition of women’s sports.
As the women’s basketball tournament continues to gain momentum and attract new fans, the future looks bright for the sport and its talented athletes.