Women’s NCAA College basketball is finally getting the recognition it has so long deserved. There are many factors as to why it has had a substantial increase in media attention and fan attendance. Caitlin Clark of University of Iowa’s Women’s basketball team has set numerous national records and has led her team to a winning season, hopeful to compete in the NCAA tournament, known as “March Madness.” Iowa is currently ranked second in the Big 10 Conference and fourth in the NCAA, according to AP.
Not only have the Iowa home games had a remarkable increase in fan attendance, so have other schools’ home games when they compete against Iowa. The home game attendance of several schools rose over 150% when playing against Iowa, in research conducted by AP through ticket marketplace, Vivid Seats. Average ticket prices for Iowa games have also gone up substantially. Just since Clark joined Iowa’s team in 2020, ticket prices have risen 224% according to AP. This goes to show Clark’s talent has created a breakthrough for fans everywhere and brought the country’s attention to women’s basketball. Fans travel everywhere just to watch her play and showcase her talent; Clark recently broke the NCAA all-time scoring record. It is clear she wants to inspire other young girls in the Midwest through her “You Can Too” campaign with Gatorade.
Another factor contributing to the newfound success of women’s college basketball is the Louisiana State University women’s basketball team. The Tigers won the NCAA tournament against Iowa in 2023 and are currently ranked 13th by AP. Players Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson gained a massive following during the 2023 season while leading their team to the final round of March Madness and breaking the Pete Maravich Assembly Center attendance record. Head coach Kim Mulkey is famously known on social media for her extravagant game outfits and her passionate coaching on the sidelines. All these aspects of LSU’s team has brought them to be viral on social media and allowed them to bring in more fan support than ever before. In their NCAA championship game against Iowa last year, both teams’ influence garnered 9.95 million viewers on ABC’s broadcast of the game, according to MVPindex.
As the March Madness tournament begins it is important to note that while women’s college basketball continues to captivate audiences nationwide, there is still a long way to go. The support of women’s sports should not just stop at the college level, it should continue to the professional and high school level too and with all sports. The tournament presents an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in women’s college basketball and simultaneously serves as motivation for the continued support needed at all levels of women’s sports. By advocating for equality and inclusivity in sports, we can collectively contribute to reshaping the narrative surrounding female athletes and pave the way for a future where their achievements are celebrated, their talent is recognized, and they have limitless opportunities.