CLEVELAND — Women’s college basketball continues to grab the nation’s attention at an unprecedented rate, and the metrics prove it.
The Final Four game between Iowa and Connecticut on Friday night was the most-watched basketball game ever aired on ESPN; an average of 14.2 million viewers tuned in, and the broadcast peaked at 17 million. Iowa defeated U-Conn., 71-69, to advance to its second consecutive national championship game with star guard Caitlin Clark leading the way. The previous record for an ESPN basketball broadcast was 13.51 million viewers for Game 7 of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
“I think the biggest thing is there’s been so many amazing players that have come before us and laid a really solid foundation of what our game has become,” Clark said Friday before the latest record was set. “As a competitor and being involved in this moment, it’s hard for you to wrap your head around.”
The game’s popularity has soared, and Clark has played a significant role. This season, she became NCAA Division I’s all-time leading scorer for men or women, surpassing Pete Maravich’s 3,667 points. Last fall, Iowa held an exhibition game at Kinnick Stadium, where the Hawkeyes play football, and 55,646 attended. Iowa road games sold out repeatedly throughout the season, and Saturday’s open practice sessions at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse also sold out.