• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 8, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

LSU-Iowa Final Becomes Most Watched Women’s College Basketball Game

  • ESPN’s Sunday telecast averaged 9.9 million viewers.
  • Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark showdown up 103% from last year’s title game.
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Women’s college basketball had its moment during March Madness, shattering one record after another. But even the NCAA and the Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN probably did not expect the huge TV audience they attracted for Sunday’s Iowa vs. LSU women’s final.

ESPN’s telecast of the Tigers’ 102-85 win over the Hawkeyes averaged 9.9 million viewers. The duel between Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese rewrote the record books. 

  • The game was easily the most-watched women’s college basketball game on record, topping the 5.7 million viewers for Connecticut vs. Oklahoma that had held the record since 2002.
  • Viewership was up 103% from last year’s women’s final between eventual champion South Carolina and Connecticut. The telecast peaked at a whopping 12.6 million viewers.
  • It was the most-viewed college event ever on the ESPN+ streaming platform for men’s and women’s sports.
  • The 9.9 million average topped marquee men’s events, such as this year’s Alabama vs. Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl (9.1 million viewers) and Tennessee vs. Clemson in the Orange Bowl (8.6 million viewers).
Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark Pulls Most-Watched Women’s Semifinal

Caitlin Clark and Iowa’s win over South Carolina was the most-watched semifinal.
April 1, 2023

TV viewers normally tune out blowouts. But the drama leading up to this year’s women’s final overrode the lopsided score, the early tipoff time (3:45 pm), and complaints about poor officiating.

In fact, the online debate about the whistle-happy refs, Clark’s phantom technical foul, and Reese’s alleged taunting only added to the interest. The game was trending all afternoon and into Monday on Twitter.  

Clark and Iowa’s previous Final Four over South Carolina previously set the record for the most-watched women’s semifinal.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

WNBA

Crypto Group Says It’s Behind WNBA Dildo Epidemic

The group backs a memecoin that launched last week.

More Dildo Throwing During WNBA Games Leads to Second Arrest

The 18-year-old threw a dildo that hit another fan and his young niece.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
NFL Network host Kimmi Chex gives Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor a draft do-over during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Taylor was drafted in 2020 when the draft was held virtually due to COVID.

ESPN Reaches NFL Draft Rights Extension Following Mega-Deal

The network will continue to broadcast the draft through 2030, say sources.
August 4, 2025

NFL’s Hall of Fame Game Draws 6.9M TV Viewers, Highest Since 2021

The Lions and Chargers played this year’s game in Canton, Ohio.
Apr 2, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Roman Reigns during Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
August 6, 2025

ESPN Strikes $1.6 Billion Streaming Deal With WWE

WWE’s premium live events are migrating from NBC’s Peacock in 2026.
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.
Jul 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to the crowd as they take on the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter at TD Garden.
July 30, 2025

WNBA Viewership Up Across All Networks Compared to 2024

Non-Fever games are up 37% compared to the full 2024 season.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) celebrates winning Sunday, July 27, 2025, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
July 30, 2025

Amazon, TNT Post Near-Identical NASCAR Ratings in Debut Season

The cable channel is a new media-rights partner this season.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse (11) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) during the second half at United Center.
July 29, 2025

Fever-Sky Draws 1.5M Viewers Despite Clark, Reese Absences

Clark and Reese both missed the game due to injury.
July 29, 2025

WBD Restructuring Shows What’s Old Is New Again

WBD will become Warner Bros. and Discovery Global as two separate entities.