'Everyone Watches Women's Sports'
Women's Basketball Is Here to Stay!
Let's keep the cameras rolling because women's basketball is here to STAY!
On January 21st, 2024, the University of Iowa vs. Ohio State University game was a 100-92 overtime thriller that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Cotie McMahon rose to the occasion leading Ohio State to victory with 33 points and 12 rebounds with star Caitlin Clark dropping 45 points and 7 assists. The game was the most-watched regular-season women's college basketball game since 2010 with an average of 1.93 million views. An impressive 1.86 million people watched on NBC stations, and viewership peaked at 3.9 million during the contest.
The in-person crowd was equally impressive with 18,660 people in attendance. This broke the Ohio State women's program attendance record making it the highest attended indoor women's basketball game to date.
Not to be outdone, the clash between No. 1 University of South Carolina (18-0) and defending champions, No. 9 Louisiana State University surely delivered an intense and memorable experience for fans. Before the January 25th in Baton Rouge showdown, it was reported that pre-sale tickets were going for as high as $3,000. In-person attendance peaked at 13,205 with online viewership on par with expectations.
The game presented two larger than life coaching personalities in Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey. Before the game, Mulkey stated ‘Dawn’s not going to out-coach me.’ In response to the loss, Mulkey noted ‘that team has been in these situations. My team hasn't.’ When a reporter in the press conference pointed out the hostile, unfriendly LSU crowd, Staley joked that they were friendly ‘Actually they were. They were calling me ‘boo.’’
Aside from the coaching rivalry, the players provided ample entertainment to match any major sporting event. LSU showcased it’s star-studded lineup. USC, on the other hand, graduated all five of their starters, including WNBA star and Rookie-of-the-Year Aliyah Boston. This year the undefeated Gamecocks start entirely new group and has accomplished five wins over Top 25 teams (tied for most in NCAA).
‘It’s a totally new starting five starting from scratch, so I’m excited. I’m excited to see how they come out and play, and what they can do when they’re put under that pressure.’ ~Dawn Staley
This USC-LSU match-up boasted an average of 1.56 million viewers on ESPN, trailing only Iowa-Ohio State on NBC last weekend as the most-watched regular season women’s game since 2010. It also rivaled NBA games during similar times.
It's great to see such support for women's basketball. We at The Athlete’s Advocate are glad the world is tuning in to witness the greatness that's been happening on the court.
March isn’t ready for these women.