Current:Home > StocksCaitlin Clark, Iowa set conference tournament viewership record after beating Nebraska -Capitatum
Caitlin Clark, Iowa set conference tournament viewership record after beating Nebraska
View
Date:2025-04-11 14:19:17
Fans can't get enough of Caitlin Clark.
Iowa's Big Ten championship win over Nebraska on Sunday was the most-watched conference tournament game on any network in women's college basketball history, CBS Sports reported on Tuesday.
The network said that the game, where the Hawkeyes won 94-89 for their third straight Big Ten title behind 34 points and 12 assists from Clark, had an average of 3.021 million viewers. The audience peaked when the game went into overtime and 4.450 million people tuned in.
The matchup was the most-watched game of the day, which also featured the SEC championship where South Carolina outlasted LSU after a scuffle in the fourth quarter to win their eighth conference title in 10 years.
The Athletic's Richard Deitsch compared the numbers between the women's Big Ten championship and the storied rivalry between Duke and North Carolina's men's basketball teams. The Blue Devils and Tar Heels faced off on Saturday in the regular season finale. North Carolina won at Cameron Indoor, clinching the regular season ACC crown. Deitsch said that game, which was aired on ESPN, had an average of 3.076 million viewers.
WOMEN'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's women's tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.
The Big Ten Network also reported that Iowa amassed more than 1 million viewers for both its semifinal and quarterfinal games in the conference tournament. It's the first time the network has seen two women's games pass the 1 million mark. The 1.075 million fans that tuned in for the semifinal against Michigan made the game the most-watched women's sports event and second overall in the network's history.
Clark − with other stars such as LSU's Angel Reese, former South Carolina star Aliyah Boston and Stanford's Cameron Brink − have helped elevate the profile of women's basketball. Last year's Final Four saw record viewership on ESPN with an average of 5.5 million and peak of 6.6 million people watching Iowa versus South Carolina. When Clark broke Pete Maravich's all-time scoring record earlier this month in a game against Ohio State, an average of 3.4 million fans tuned in, making it the most-watched women's college basketball game in FOX's history.
The Hawkeyes clinched a berth in the NCAA tournament with the championship win. They will learn their seeding for the competition on Selection Sunday.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Jamie Lynn Spears' Daughter Maddie Is All Grown Up in Prom Photos
- 'Rust' armorer sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter conviction: Updates
- John Sterling, Yankees' legendary broadcaster, has decided to call it a career
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Bill meant to improve math skills passes as Kentucky lawmakers approach end of legislative session
- The Most Popular Celebrities on Cameo That You Should Book ASAP
- The Lyrids begin this week. How to see first major meteor shower of spring when it peaks
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Jelly Roll says he's lost around 70 pounds as he preps for 5K race
Ranking
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- You may need Form 4868 to file a tax extension. Here's what to know as deadline looms.
- The Best Mother's Day Gifts for Celebrating New Moms & Moms-To-Be
- 3 children, 1 adult injured in drive-by shooting outside of Kentucky health department
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Shawn Johnson Details Emergency Room Visit With 2-Year-Old Son Jett After Fall
- Trump Media stock price plummets Monday as company files to issue millions of shares
- Lawsuit asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to strike down governor’s 400-year veto
Recommendation
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
Several gun bills inspired by mass shooting are headed for final passage in Maine
Trump trial gets underway today as jury selection begins in historic New York case
The pilots union at American Airlines says it’s seeing more safety and maintenance issues
Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
'Real Housewives of Miami' star Alexia Nepola 'shocked' as husband Todd files for divorce
USA Basketball finalizing 11 players for Paris Olympics, led by LeBron James, Steph Curry
Maui Fire Department to release after-action report on deadly Hawaii wildfires