18.7 MILLION 🔥

[demmiblue]

Link to tweet

BREAKING: The Iowa-South Carolina national championship game averaged 18.7 million viewers.

That makes it the most watched basketball game — men's or women's, college or professional — in five years.

What a MASSIVE month for women's basketball.

For additional context, 18.7 million viewers is 4 million more viewers than last year's men's national championship game.

It's an incredible, incredible number.

Link to tweet

[North Shore Chicago]

1. Yay!

[TwilightZone]

2. It'll be interesting to see if it's the Caitlin Clark effect or if it's sustained next year.

It really is a huge number. Very happy to see the interest.

[rurallib]

4. there are still some major stars in the women's game such as

Juju Watkins and Paige Bueckers and many others that do not come to mind right now.

Will Clark's fans follow her to the Wnba?

[TwilightZone]

5. Her final home game drew better ratings than opening-night NBA games.

https://www.si.com/college/2024/03/05/caitlin-clark-iowa-ohio-state-higher-ratings-nba-opening-night-games

The common thread in the record ratings is Clark, but it may have a carryover effect for the sport. We'll find out next season.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. With Luck...

...it's a bit of both.
Clark has a unique game & personal flare so I think a lot of it was fascination with her.
But, more eyeballs at any one time may bump up overall interest. And, South Carolina is a likeable dynasty with an affable coach. Geez, she has a smile on her face on nearly every interview.
So, they might sustain but, I think it's too much to ask for this level sans Clark.

[calguy]

3. Massive shout out to the women of college basketball

Not just Caitlin Clark, but all the other young stars going into the WNBA this year and the crop of undergraduate stars coming up behind them.
Well done, ladies, well done.