The 2024 women’s NCAA tournament garnered immense attention nationwide, propelled by the remarkable performance of Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa’s journey to the national championship game shattered TV ratings records, reaching levels unprecedented even in comparison to top championship games in men’s professional sports.
In the championship game, however, Iowa faced defeat against South Carolina, losing 87-75, in a match that drew staggering TV ratings, averaging 18.7 million viewers with a peak of 24 million, marking it as the most-watched basketball game since 2019 across college and professional leagues.
Iowa’s victory over LSU in the Elite Eight, drawing 12.3 million viewers, was one of the most-watched games of the past year outside of the NFL. The matchup held a built-in narrative after LSU’s previous win against Iowa in the national championship game, prompting viewers to tune in for potential redemption.
NEW: @IowaWBB –@UConnWBB Final Four game breaks record for most-watched women’s college basketball game.
Game averages 14.2 million viewers. Peaks at 17 million.
STORY:https://t.co/66Up5NmSnK
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) April 6, 2024
Surprisingly, Iowa’s subsequent game against the UConn Huskies garnered even higher viewership, as fans anticipated a superstar showdown between Caitlin Clark and UConn guard Paige Bueckers. The game averaged 14.2 million viewers, surpassing viewership numbers of NBA Finals and World Series games from the previous year.
The game between Iowa and UConn ended in a 71-69 victory for Iowa, amidst controversy surrounding the final play where a moving screen by UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards led to allegations of bias towards Iowa. However, closer examination validated the call, highlighting the difficulty of the referee’s decision in such a crucial moment. Heading into the national championship, Iowa faces an undefeated South Carolina team, with the Gamecocks emerging as 6.5 point favorites, presenting a formidable challenge for the Hawkeyes.
Apart from Iowa’s compelling performance, several other matchups in the tournament also commanded significant viewership. The Elite Eight game between UConn and USC drew 6.7 million viewers, peaking at 10.4 million. Similarly, South Carolina’s triumph over NC State in the Final Four captured an average audience of 7.1 million viewers, marking it as the third most-watched women’s Final Four game since 1992, according to ESPN.
Although Iowa’s women’s basketball team has never clinched a national championship, Caitlin Clark’s extraordinary stardom has undoubtedly elevated the game’s popularity. Her college career stands as a testament to her status as an all-time legend, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and drawing unprecedented attention to the women’s NCAA tournament.
