It was a tough March Madness for those who disparage women’s basketball. From sold-out games to record-setting attendance to buzzer-beaters to compelling storylines, this tournament showed the demand for women’s basketball.
The national championship game on ABC drew an average of 9.9 million viewers peaking at 12.6 million. That’s more than 2023 Thursday Night Football, the 2021 NBA Finals, and any MLS game ever, just to name a few.
The storylines were exceedingly compelling as well from LSU’s Angel Reese having 34 double-doubles this season to Iowa’s Caitlin Clark breaking scoring records to redemption arcs with LSU’s Alexis Morris.
Players who were quiet all tournament like LSU’s Jasmine Carson balled out in the championship game sinking five 3-pointers in the first half. It was the highest scoring game ever in a women’s basketball title game.
The overarching takeaway from this tournament is that women’s basketball is valuable just like we always knew it was when roadblocks and deliberate undervaluing are taken away.
It has the potential for everything.