Women’s college basketball viewership continues to rise

Women’s college basketball is seeing continued growth in viewership and popularity, even after star player Caitlin Clark has moved on to the WNBA. This season, viewership has increased by 3% compared to last year and is up 41% from the 2022-23 season. Key figures like Paige Bueckers of UConn are helping to attract fans. The NCAA Division I women's tournament is drawing record audiences. Last year's championship game between Iowa and South Carolina had an average of 18.9 million viewers, the highest ever for a women’s game. The improvements in the game are driving interest. Coaches and former players note that more people are having conversations about women's basketball today than ever before. Fans are recognizing the skill and excitement in the women’s game, which offers a different style of play compared to men’s basketball. The increase in competitive balance among teams has also kept fans engaged. Schools that once dominated now face stiffer competition, making games more unpredictable and exciting to watch. This season marks a milestone as women’s teams will finally receive money for participating in and winning NCAA tournament games. This change is expected to attract more investment and interest in women’s sports. Overall, coaches are optimistic about the future, noting that the quality of play and the excitement surrounding the game are likely to keep fans coming back. Increased viewership and investment are signs of a promising future for women’s collegiate basketball.