Women’s college sports have been growing in popularity and visibility. From players like Candace Parker, Maya Moore, and Sabrina Ionescu who have become household names to teams like UConn, Stanford, and South Carolina that consistently dominate their divisions, women’s basketball has been gaining momentum. However, the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament may have been the tipping point for women’s basketball to finally take the leap into mass success.
So, what’s next? Read on to find out.
The 2023 Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament
According to recent data, the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament was the most watched in history. The tournament had an average viewership of 4.5 million per Final Four game, with the championship game reaching 9.9 million viewers. This is a significant increase over the prior year, in part because for first time the women’s final was aired live on ABC, a major broadcast network.
However, the increase in viewership can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the NCAA was heavily criticized after a 2021 report found that men’s basketball was being prioritized in multiple ways. In response, the NCAA began implementing March Madness branding for the women’s tournament last season, though other changes have been slow to manifest.
Secondly, perhaps also as a response to the report, more women’s games were aired on major networks like ESPN, which helped increase the tournament’s visibility. Lastly, the quality of play was exceptional. With many close games, star athletes, and upsets, the women’s tournament was thrilling to watch.
Big Name Stars Are Drawing Fans
Another reason for women’s basketball rise in popularity is the emergence of big-name stars. Players like Angel Reese, a sophomore at LSU, and Caitlin Clark, a junior at Iowa, have been drawing fans with their exceptional talent and skill. Reese is a dynamic forward who can score from inside and outside, while Clark is a prolific scorer who can shoot from anywhere on the court. These players have brought attention to their respective teams and generated popular excitement and interest in women’s basketball.
Both athletes will be returning to their collegiate teams next season, as they don’t yet meet the WNBA’s draft eligibility requirements. This means at least one more year of an exciting new rivalry.
Women’s Collegiate Sports in 2023
Women’s college sports are having a tremendous year already, with several notable achievements. The LSU women’s basketball team won its first championship while smashing viewing records. The NCAA reported an increase of 16 percent more female collegiate athletes competing in women’s sports since 2011-12.
The Oklahoma Sooners repeated as the NCAA women’s gymnastics champions. This year’s championship was also the most-viewed ever, garnering over 1 million viewers on ESPN’s platforms. These achievements demonstrate the depth and breadth of talent in women’s college sports and showcase the incredible accomplishments of female athletes.
Is It Time for the WNBA to Expand?
With the increasing popularity and success of women’s college sports, many are wondering if it is time for the WNBA to expand to accommodate all these talented athletes. Currently the WNBA has 12 teams, which is significantly fewer than the 30 teams in the NBA.
Expanding the WNBA would provide more opportunities for female athletes to continue playing professionally. It would also increase the visibility and viability of women’s basketball. The WNBA has already made significant strides in terms of player salaries and benefits. Expanding the league would help solidify women’s basketball as a legitimate and profitable sport.
In late 2022, the WNBA’s commissioner noted that while the league wants to add teams, there is no rush. Those who have been following this story closely believe 2025 is the soonest we might see such a sea change.
What’s Next for Women’s Collegiate Sports?
The future of women’s collegiate sports is likely to be shaped by a variety of factors. These include changes in laws and regulations, shifts in societal attitudes towards gender and sports, and advancements in technology and media.
One important development to watch is the ongoing legal and regulatory battles over gender equity in sports. Title IX, for example, prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal funding. The NCAA has faced scrutiny in recent years over its treatment of women’s sports, including disparities in facilities, resources, and media coverage. There have been calls for greater investment and support for women’s athletics.
Another key trend is the growing popularity and visibility of women’s sports, driven in part by increased media coverage and the success of women’s teams and athletes at the professional and Olympic levels. This could lead to greater investment in women’s collegiate sports and more opportunities for female athletes to pursue careers in sports.
Technological advancements are also likely to play a role in shaping the future of women’s collegiate sports, with innovations such as wearable technology, data analytics, and virtual reality training potentially revolutionizing the way athletes train and compete. And revenue sources such as newly approved NIL deals make collegiate sports more attractive than ever.