Dawn Staley, the head coach of the South Carolina women’s basketball team, is currently enjoying the success of her team’s recent victory in the NCAA championship. However, this achievement represents just one facet of a seminal moment in the history of women’s basketball. The latest national championship game attracted a record-breaking 18.9 million viewers, surpassing the viewership of the men’s title game and shining a spotlight on the women’s basketball community. This surge in support can be attributed to the increasing popularity of women’s basketball, with a growing number of individuals eager to tune in and witness thrilling games while following the journeys of talented players.
Staley posits that this shift in attention is not solely a result of the recent influx of collegiate talent, but is also connected to the 2021 external review on gender equality within the NCAA, known as the Kaplan report. This report brought attention to the disparities between male and female athletes, shedding light on the gender inequality present in college basketball. It led to a new television contract with ESPN valued at $920 million through 2032, with women’s college basketball being valued at $65 million a year – double the value of the previous contract. Nevertheless, Staley stresses the need for additional measures to ensure that women’s basketball receives comparable financial support to that of the men’s program.
A’ja Wilson, a two-time WNBA MVP, shares this sentiment, emphasizing that the rise of women’s basketball should not be a passing trend but rather a sustained movement. Despite the record viewership in the WNBA finals last season, Wilson notes that support often wanes once the excitement of college basketball subsides, underscoring the necessity for ongoing backing of women’s basketball at both the collegiate and professional levels.
With the approaching 2024 WNBA Draft, there is optimism that the momentum from the women’s national championship will carry over into the professional league. With top prospects such as Caitlin Clark and Cameron Brink poised to enter the WNBA, there is potential for record viewership once more. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that the support for women’s basketball remains consistent beyond the heights of March Madness.
The remarkable growth of women’s basketball in recent years underscores the importance of maintaining and furthering this progress. Both Dawn Staley and A’ja Wilson underscore the need for sustained support and investment in women’s basketball, not as a passing fad but as a long-term movement that can propel the sport to new heights. The realm of women’s basketball is rife with talent and excitement, and it falls on fans and stakeholders to perpetuate this momentum for years to come.