The Iowa vs. LSU showdown in women’s college basketball made history as the most-watched game ever, drawing in a staggering 12.3 million viewers on ESPN. Led by Caitlin Clark’s remarkable performance with 41 points, Iowa secured a 94-87 victory over LSU in the Albany 2 Region final, marking a significant moment in women’s sports viewership.
This record-breaking viewership eclipsed the previous benchmark set by the 1983 NCAA championship game between Southern California and Louisiana Tech, watched by 11.84 million viewers. Notably, LSU coach Kim Mulkey, a former player for Louisiana Tech, faced off against USC legend Cheryl Miller in that historic game, ultimately won by the Trojans.
According to Sports Media Watch, this game stands as the most-viewed basketball event on ESPN since the 2018 Eastern Conference finals’ Game 7, where the Cleveland Cavaliers triumphed over the Boston Celtics with an average of 13.6 million viewers.
Clark’s stellar performances throughout the women’s NCAA tournament have been a major draw, with an average of 6.83 million viewers tuning in for her four games aired on ESPN and ABC. Iowa’s upcoming clash against UConn in the national semifinal is anticipated to be another high-profile event at the Women’s Final Four, with the championship game scheduled to air on ABC.
The Hawkeyes’ previous game against Colorado in the regional semifinal also drew significant viewership, averaging 6.9 million viewers on ABC, ranking as the third most-watched women’s tournament game since ESPN began broadcasting it in 1996.
Last night’s Iowa-LSU game drew 12.3 million viewers 🔥
It’s the most-watched women’s college basketball game EVER 👏
pic.twitter.com/ZQf4e1nSSq— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) April 2, 2024
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Iowa’s consistent television ratings have been remarkable, with their last five games all surpassing 3 million viewers, including three games drawing over 4.9 million. Additionally, LSU’s victory over UCLA and other notable games in the tournament have contributed to the heightened interest in women’s college basketball, marking a significant milestone in the sport’s visibility and popularity.
