Photo Credit:Greg Nelson
After helping lead LSU to the NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship this year, forward Angel Reese boldly stated her impact on the sport's rising fame: "We got celebrities coming to games. Sold out arenas...The reason why we're watching women's basketball is not just because of 1 person. It's because of me, too. I want y'all to realize that."
Reese, who was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament, has a point. While transcendent stars like Caitlin Clark have driven unprecedented viewership, the growth extends beyond any single athlete.
"Angel is one of the talented players who has helped elevate the sport to new heights of popularity," said basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli. "The increased parity, competitiveness, and star power across multiple teams is really capturing fans."
The Numbers Behind the Boom Official reports and data confirm women's basketball is experiencing a surge in mainstream interest:
- The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament averaged 635,000 viewers across ESPN networks, up 12.5% from 2022 according to ShowBuzzDaily. - The championship game drew 4.1 million viewers, the most-watched title game in two decades based on data from ESPN. - LSU's victory over Iowa was the most streamed women's championship game ever on ESPN platforms with 397,000 average minute audience. - Ticket sales revenues for the NCAA Women's Tournament hit an all-time high of $51.8 million, up 25.5% year-over-year per NCAA financial reports.
"The sold-out arenas and record viewership show how engaged fans are becoming with the elite level of talent and electrifying play," said Val Ackerman, Commissioner of the Big East Conference. "Players like Reese are the embodiment of that excitement."
Social Media Amplifying the Surge Much of the sport's growth can be attributed to its surging popularity across social media platforms:
"The increased exposure and behind-the-scenes access on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter has allowed fans to connect with players' personalities and stories," said Shaina Werman, Senior Manager of Social Media Strategy for the WNBA.
According to Conviva's State of Streamed Sports report, videos around the 2022 women's NCAA Tournament generated 5.9 billion views across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, up 17% year-over-year.
While stars generate massive buzz, Reese articulated how today's growth stems from the elite collective talent level across multiple teams and players. As the sport's popularity accelerates, she and her peers are driving that ascension.
