The Rise of Women’s Sports

It would be hard for me to pass up the opportunity to talk about this year’s March Madness College Basketball Tournament. And of course, I am talking about the women. As a current women’s professional athlete, I felt a surge of joy witnessing the tremendous attention and recognition this tournament garnered.

As many people have stated, women’s basketball didn’t just start getting interesting, but the increased marketing and broadcasting made the interest in the sport reach a whole new level with an unprecedented audience.

Just how significant was this surge in viewership? Consider this: The Elite Eight matchup between Iowa and LSU averaged 12.3 million more viewers than every MLB game last season, every NHL game last season, every MLS game last season, every NBA game last season except one, and every ESPN college basketball game ever (Front Office Sports). ?

Beyond the investment in marketing and broadcast, the individual players and coaches in the 2024 tournament added personal excitement and narratives to the mix. The talent showcased was extraordinary, but the individual and team stories truly captivated fans. From Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking performances to Paige Buecker’s outstanding return from ACL surgery, the tournament was filled with compelling narratives that previously were not highlighted as often in the women’s game. A few more storylines were South Carolina’s unbeaten streak, Uconn and NC State’s men’s and women’s teams making it to the final four, and Kim Mulkey’s fabulous game-day outfits. People cared about who was playing and coaching.

Furthermore, the sport of women’s basketball earned greater respect among sports enthusiasts. Following the final game, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said, “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport…you are one of the GOATs and we appreciate you”. Caitlin played a crucial role in grabbing the hearts of sports fans worldwide and growing not just the women’s basketball game but women’s sports in general.

This year’s March Madness College Basketball Tournament provided a glimpse into the promising future of women’s sports. With continued investment, support, and the compelling narratives of its athletes and coaches, women’s sports will continue to grow to greater heights.