Can NCAA Women’s Basketball Surpass Men’s in Popularity?
In past years, it’s been known that NCAA women’s basketball has yet to exceed the viewership and crowds of the NCAA men’s basketball teams. Even with the rising popularity of NCAA women’s basketball due to Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, there has still not been a time when NCAA women’s basketball has exceeded views over the NCAA men’s basketball. However, with Clark and Reese currently in the WNBA, there is a high chance that this year the views will diverge, unless the media focuses on stars that could continue to change the face of NCAA women’s basketball. Such rising stars that could continue this legacy that Clark and Reese left behind may be JuJu Watkins from USC, Hannah Hidalgo from Notre Dame, and Sarah Strong from UConn. However, this raises the question whether these players, old and new, will ever be as big as stars Clark and Reese? That is what all fans of NCAA women’s basketball will find out this upcoming season.
Looking into the past, men’s NCAA basketball has dominated the sporting landscape, with the March Madness tournament drawing millions of viewers annually. Yet, the women’s tournament has steadily gained momentum. The 2024 NCAA women’s Final Four, attracting 13.8 million viewers-an immense increase from the previous season, where it had over nine million viewers – shows some hope that the NCAA women’s basketball will continue to rise and get new fans. This surge highlights the growing interest and recognition of women’s basketball on a national stage. However, if the current speculated star players do not do their job and give the media what they need, there is always the possibility that the viewers could decline this season, but there are many factors that can contribute to the rise in viewership.
Several factors contribute to this trend. First, the rise of social media has allowed female athletes to build personal brands and connect directly with fans, fueling interest and engagement. Additionally, the presence of compelling storylines such as underdog teams and star players, Watkins, Hidalgo, and Strong, may captivate the audience, leading to increased viewership. Of course, Clark and Reese have captivated audiences, but now is the time for a new star player to rise and be as fluid as Clark and Reese. However, it is up to the media to construe a storyline that will continue the fandom of women’s basketball, as they did with Clark and Reese. By having such story lines and competitiveness shown in women’s basketball, more individuals will be captivated to watch.
While NCAA men’s basketball maintains its status as the more commercially lucrative sport, the gap is narrowing. The growing viewership numbers, social media engagement, and cultural relevance suggest that NCAA women’s basketball is rapidly gaining ground. Whether it will fully surpass men’s basketball remains uncertain, but with the rising popularity, the goal of 14 million viewers for the Final Four would not be something that is out of reach. Just in 2024, the semifinal games for men's basketball accumulated 15.5 million viewers, which is not that far off from the women’s basketball. Of course, there could be a year where the women’s basketball suppresses the men’s basketball, but it depends on key players, story lines, and the engagement the players have with their fans. With the combination of all these factors, there most likely can and will be at least a game that will surpass men’s basketball. However, if the media does not foster women’s basketball, then the views will decline.
