Oftentimes when society takes what is perceived to be a significant step forward, we stop and ask whether we are witnessing a movement or a moment. That question seems particularly relevant today as we near the finish line of the most memorable and consequential season in women’s collegiate basketball history.
An entity once marginalized by fans and broadcast partners alike is suddenly as hot as fish grease. The Associated Press is reporting that tickets to the women’s Final Four are going for at least double that of the men on the secondary market, which is understandable considering one is played in an arena, the other a football stadium. But it wouldn’t be shocking even if both were in the same building considering the interest in Iowa’s 94-87 victory over LSU on Monday night in the Elite Eight showdown.
The rematch of last season’s NCAA championship game attracted 12.3 million viewers to become the most-watched collegiate women’s basketball game in history despite being aired on cable. Sportsmediawatch.com reported that it was ESPN’s largest basketball audience since Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference finals, and Joe Pompliano of “The Joe Pomp Show” said it outdrew both the 2023 NBA Finals and World Series, as well as the Orange, Cotton and Peach bowls,…
