By editorial board
As Iowa State hero Caitlin Clark left the court for the last time in Sunday's women's NCAA national championship game, the capacity crowd and the nation sitting on the edge of their seats from home were reminded of the power of a game built on empowerment. I experienced it.
Iowa vs. South Carolina game Peak viewership was 24 million people With an average audience of 18.7 million viewers, it was the second most-watched non-Olympic women's sporting event in television history, behind the 2015 Women's World Cup final. This was the most-watched sporting event since 2019, excluding women's sports and including all men's or women's college or professional sporting events.
Not a believer yet? Well, welcome to the minority.
Former NBA superstars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce argue on a podcast episode ahead of National Championship weekend and conclude that more people can name five women's college basketball players than men. Reached. The staff has found that while the turnover in the men's game has made superstars a little less important, the “electric” environment of women's basketball is more interesting and engaging than ever. Ta.
“It's ruining the game for the players,” Garnett said.
For a long time, complaints about women's sports were foolish. In 2016, women made up just 4% of sports media and television coverage.Yes, that is all women's sports.
However, despite the sports boom, not everything was smooth sailing. A preview article from the LA Times ran during the fun March Madness season. The article portrayed LSU basketball as “villains” and “dirty debutants” and highlighted persistent issues of sexism, racism, and bigotry surrounding the sport. The then-edited column attacked not only head coach Kim Mulkey's character, but also that of her players and fans. After all, a story like this would never make it past an editor's desk if you used such terms when describing a men's basketball game that would surely break TV ratings records.
As the game grows, so does the criticism. As people who embrace content, we must first and foremost start taking responsibility for how others talk about games and people.
Sure, Clark and LSU star Angel Reese were unparalleled players who led women's basketball to success, but their flashy, fun style of play inspired a generation of players who continue to stir up excitement in the game. I gave it. A new era begins as they aim for the next level of basketball. Do not consider the storyline. Women's basketball is here to stay.
