Iowa vs South Carolina Draws Record 18.7 Million Viewers, Caitlin Clark Shatters Final College Record

Sourav Bose | 09/04/2024
Iowa vs South Carolina Draws Record 18.7 Million Viewers, Caitlin Clark Shatters Final College Record

The NCAA championship game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the South Carolina Gamecocks has shattered records. The clash drew a staggering 18.7 million views, breaking the previously established college final record. The presence of Caitlin Clark in the game played an active role in garnering the attention of basketball fans as her popularity remains on the rise.

As per ‘Front Office Sports’, the game drew a larger audience than last year’s men’s championship clash between UConn and San Diego State (14.6 million views). On top of it, this has become the most-viewed basketball game in the last five years, surpassing the NBA Finals viewership during this phase.

Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Across sports, it generated more viewership than the previous year’s Georgia-TCU (17.2 million) and Alabama-Georgia (17.5 million) games. Only the NCAA’s Michigan-Ohio State game brought in more viewers (19 million) than the recent final.

This serves as an extension of Clark’s influence on the college basketball circuit. After all, the gradual increase in viewership in each of her last three NCAA games reflects precisely that. A week back, their Elite Eight clash against the defending champions, LSU, garnered 12.3 million views.

Merely four days later, the viewership increased further in the Final Four game against the UConn Huskies (14.2 million).

Caitlin Clark has increased the viewership 100 folds

The incremental growth in interest in her endeavors becomes evident upon a close inspection of the last few year’s viewership. More than two years ago, the Hawkeyes set a Big Ten Network Women’s basketball viewership record. At that time, 164,000 people tuned in to witness her excellence against Ohio State. The latest championship clash thus increased the viewership by more than 100 folds, capturing her influence in the game.

Amidst the remarkable popularity, her college career faced an unprecedented ending as the Gamecocks triumphed 87-75. This marked Clark’s second consecutive defeat in the NCAA championship games in two years. However, the 22-year-old has already started to look ahead by initiating her preparations for the WNBA. This growth mindset could also result in a disruption in her future endeavors as the fans continue to keep an eye on her brilliance.

Post Edited By: Hitesh Nigam
Caitlin Clark

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Sourav Bose

Sourav, a seasoned NBA journalist at the SportsRush, discovered his profound love for basketball through the brilliance of Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors. With over 600 articles in his career, he has established himself as a dedicated and prolific writer in the field. Influenced by 'The Last Dance' documentary and the anime 'Slam Dunk,' Sourav's passion for basketball is marked by insightful observations and a comprehensive understanding of the sport's history. Beyond his role as a journalist, he delves into the strategic dimensions of sports management and explores literature in his spare time, reflecting a well-rounded approach to his craft. Sourav's journey is characterized by a commitment to unraveling the intricacies of basketball and sports in general, making him a reliable source for NBA enthusiasts and a seasoned observer of the sports landscape.

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