The 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship game between South Carolina Gamecocks and Iowa Hawkeyes set a record with 18.7 million viewers, surpassing the men's final in viewership. The game highlighted the increasing popularity of women's basketball and the emergence of new superstar athletes.
Key Points
Record-setting 18.7 million viewers for the women's final game
First time in history that a women's final has drawn a larger TV audience than the men's final
Increased popularity of women's basketball fueled by new superstar athletes
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised the championship faceoff as a fitting finale to the March Madness tournament
Pros
Record-breaking viewership for the women's final game
Increased interest and momentum for women's basketball
Emergence of new superstar athletes
Cons
Men's final game had lower viewership compared to the women's final