• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

‘Absurd’ Caitlin Clark Draws Absurd TV Numbers for Iowa-LSU

  • Monday’s Elite Eight matchup blew by the ratings record set in last year’s women’s final.
  • It was also ESPN’s most-watched college hoops game ever, men’s or women’s.
The Des Moines Register

ESPN’s Elle Duncan called Caitlin Clark’s skill set “absurd” Monday night. So too, it seems, is Clark’s ability to supercharge TV audiences. 

With Clark avenging last year’s championship-game loss, the ESPN telecast of Iowa’s 94–87 win over LSU averaged a staggering 12.3 million viewers Monday night. That made it the most-watched women’s college basketball game on record, far surpassing the previous mark: 9.9 million viewers for the Tigers’ title win last April. It was also the most-watched college hoops game ever, men’s or women’s, on ESPN platforms.

The fact that this happened in an Elite Eight regional indicates that Clark is drawing both hard-core sports fans and casual TV viewers eager to find out what the fuss is all about. And it’s particularly impressive given the slow death of the cable TV bundle. ESPN’s distribution has fallen to 71 million U.S. households, from a broadcast-network-like high of 100 million in 2012.

ESPN’s upcoming Final Four telecast of Iowa versus Connecticut won’t match the pregame drama of the Iowa-LSU rematch. But UConn has its own ratings draw in Paige Bueckers, plus the lineage of the winningest women’s college basketball program ever, with 11 national titles. With Clark being the biggest story in sports, TV ratings expert Douglas Pucci tells me he predicts Iowa-UConn to post another record, even with a 9:30 p.m. ET tip time. 

If Clark advances, a dream title game matchup between Iowa and unbeaten South Carolina would pull more than 16 million viewers, Pucci predicts, perhaps even outdrawing the men’s championship. On the other hand, an Iowa–NC State title game, he thinks, would draw roughly 13 million. That would still be a women’s record, but probably not enough to top this year’s men’s title game. (And if Clark and Iowa are knocked out in the Final Four? He predicts the women’s championship-game viewership would plummet to 6.5 million viewers.)

For context: UConn’s blowout win over San Diego State in the men’s title game last year averaged 14.69 million viewers on CBS. Notably, though, the men’s national championship April 8 will be shown on cable TV, across TBS, TNT, and truTV. The most ratings-friendly men’s championship matchup would appear to be blueblood UConn vs. NC State. Led by DJ Burns, the Wolfpack’s upset of the Blue Devils on Easter Sunday drew 15.1 million viewers, the best number for a men’s Elite Eight game in five years.


Michael McCarthy’s “Tuned In” column is at your fingertips every week with the latest insights and ongoings around sports media. If he hears it, you will, too.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

A helmt is seen during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

CFB’s Revenue-Sharing Era Muddles Future of NIL, Adds PE Questions

Athletic departments can pay college athletes a combined $20.5 million this year.
exclusive

CBS, NFL Host James Brown Discussing Contract Extension

The 74-year-old Brown has hosted a record 10 Super Bowl pregame shows.
Jul 3, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) returns a shot during his match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) on day seven at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon’s Expansion Battle Looms Over Star-Studded Quarterfinals

The expansion’s loudest opposition is Save Wimbledon Park.
Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; President-elect Donald Trump speaks with Dana White (left) during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.

UFC Confirms Talks to Bring Fight to White House Grounds

Discussions are underway to bring a UFC event to the White House grounds.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

ESPN Brings Pat McAfee to Atlanta for Home Run Derby Showcase

The Disney-owned network will bring one of its top stars to Atlanta.
Dan Orlovsky and Ryan Clark
exclusive
July 7, 2025

Dan Orlovsky, ESPN Agree to Terms for Contract Extension

Orlovsky had faced possible free agency this summer with his contract ending.
Malika Andrews
exclusive
July 7, 2025

Joe Buck, Malika Andrews to Guest-Host ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’

Elle Duncan and Laura Rutledge have also had discussions.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
exclusive
July 3, 2025

ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap Strives to Discover Joey Chestnut’s Secret

Schaap calls his second Hot Dog Eating Contest July 4.
opinion
July 3, 2025

Caitlin Clark’s Media Supporters Pushing Harder Against Slights

Dick Vitale, Colin Cowherd, and others are accusing other WNBA players of jealousy.
exclusive
July 1, 2025

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.
June 30, 2025

ESPN, MLB Relationship May Not Be Over After All

The parties restart rights talks amid a high-profile divorce in February.