Star-Studded Women’s Final Four Matchup Could Set Ratings Record

The women’s Final Four in Dallas will feature the most anticipated matchup of the season: the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The game could easily set a record for the most-watched women’s semifinal in the past decade — and top the 2013 Notre Dame-UConn matchup that drew three million viewers.

It will be a showdown between the best defensive and offensive programs that women’s college basketball offers. 

• South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston has a resume that’s too long to list — but highlights include the 2022 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and multiple overall Player of the Year accolades.
• Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is a Naismith Player of the Year finalist and the first men’s or women’s player to post a 40-point triple-double in the NCAA tournament.

Another factor: a trend of skyrocketing ratings during recent Final Fours, no matter the matchup. 

LSU and Virginia Tech, which makes its first appearance, will battle in the other semifinal on Friday.

Undervalued NIL Power?

Neither Clark nor Boston cracks the top 10 in estimated earning potential, according to On3. Clark ranks 12th at $160,000, while Boston ranks 15th with a potential of $104,000.

Those are just estimates, though. So far, Clark has inked multiple deals — most notably her partnership with Nike. Boston has a unique deal with Under Armour and at least 11 other deals with companies like Orangetheory.

Both players were featured in a Buick campaign highlighting women’s sports.