# viewers LSU vs. Iowa 9.9 million

[SDV]

I watched the game because it was on during the middle of the day, and was the only major sporting event on. I think the afternoon spot is a good spot for it. My guess is that was part of the reason for the huge ratings. Once the Lady Vols are out, I usually don't tune in.

 

[Illinoisvolfan2]

I had it on the TV so it marked me as watching it but it was boring compared to men’s basketball imo. Just so slow paced. Just my opinion of course. I try and like it but I can’t get there.

Me too. Watched a little of it but just can’t get excited.

 

[glv98]

The true shame about this game was it did not make prime time tv viewing like the men's game tonight and it should have. Somebody in women's basketball needs to throw a rock about that.

Save the rock. 3:30 on a weekend afternoon is prime time for sports. That's why the best college football game of the week is on at 3:30 on Saturday and the best pro game at 4:00 on Sunday.

Also, apparently being on a traditional old school network helped, tho I still can't wrap my head around thinking adults still paying twice the amount for cable they could pay for streaming.

 

[lfvol]

Andrew Haubner, sportswriter:

"9.9 million viewers is more than...

- Every NHL Stanley Cup game since 1973.
- Games 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the 2021 NBA Finals
- 2023 Sugar Bowl (Bama/K-State)
- 2023 Orange Bowl (Tennessee/Clemson)
- Every MLS game on record"

Rodger Sherman:
"Quick reminder that:
—the NCAA has always lumped TV rights to the women's tourney along with 28 other NCAA championships instead of selling them separately
—ESPN had never aired the women's title game on ABC

Hundreds of millions of dollars lost via internalized sexism!!!"

For the future, it’s a shame the officiating was so bad, especially the first half, resulting in the stars sitting. That was the NCAA failure.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Please watched for Clark and Reese, 2 new teams in the finals(No UCONN, SC, or Stanford), and maybe to see what Mulkey wore. It's definitely debatable who was watched more for Clark or Reese but not everything needs to be a big debate. Just glad 10 million people watched, great numbers for women's basketball.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

 

[madtownvol]

They watched because of Caitlin

They watched because interest in the tournament has been steadily growing and this was the first time the final game was actually shown on network versus ESPN. Put the game in primetime and add a few million eyeballs.

Next year, you will be saying oh, the watch the game Bueckers, Reese, or Rickea (fingers crossed), or whoever else gets a lot of press during the season.

 

[Voldog1998]

People watch women’s basketball??

 

[madtownvol]

People watch women’s basketball??

Hey, did you think up that "zinger" up all by yourself? Truly original stuff, dude.

 

[Hoosier]

collegiate women's basketball and men's basketball are like collegiate softball and baseball -- two different (but similar) games, each of which has its own attractions -- it really seems pointless to me to compare them as if one is somehow objectively "better" than the other

 

[bicenTENNial]

That was certainly a part of it, no doubt. However, most of the games without Iowa throughout the tournament were up by 50%, so it is clear that the overall interest in the women's tournament was substantially up and the games that Caitlin were in it was incredibly up.

I mean it's just my opinion but think once she put up 41 against Scar most were watching because they wanted to see her play

 

[feathersax]

Says the guy cruising a WBB thread.

Dribble, dribble...naaaah.

 

[madtownvol]

Interesting that Clarke got a delay of game tech foul for bouncing the ball away on a "dead ball" foul where the game has been stopped but Kim Mulkey could do this with impunity:

 

[volfan102455]

I think the time slot helped a lot. Very few events to clash with the timeframe. The real test will be the number of viewers to key games in the regular season.

The appeal for the woman's tournament generally lacks the excitement of the men's game where upsets are common, and many get behind the underdog when their team is beaten. They just are not that common in the women's tournament.

 

[volfan102455]

I mean it's just my opinion but think once she put up 41 against Scar most were watching because they wanted to see her play

I was watching to see her lose - I grew really tired of the hype. Yes, she is good - but there have been many before her just as good and exciting.

 

[movinonup]

I was watching to see her lose - I grew really tired of the hype. Yes, she is good - but there have been many before her just as good and exciting.

The "many" before must have been before I started watching ( I am 60+ and followed ladies basketball since high school). She is a generational talent.

And off subject......if Angel Reese does not get a filter, she is going to be the most hated player in college basketball.

 

[GetEmVols]

Over 100 points is slow paced?

That one game was fine I guess. I like people playing above the rim.

 

[KoachKrab127]

That one game was fine I guess. I like people playing above the rim.

You said “that one game” was “slow paced and boring.” Now you’re saying it’s fine. Did you even watch it? Did you even know the final score before I told you one team scored over 100?

 

[37620VOL]

They watched because of Caitlin

The Great White Hype?

 

[37620VOL]

That one game was fine I guess. I like people playing above the rim.

You like dunks, rasslin, and NASCAR crashes, got it

 

[GetEmVols]

You like dunks, rasslin, and NASCAR crashes, got it

I don’t like “rasslin”(fake) or nascar. You don’t have to be a redneck to see that women basketball is boring compared to men. There is a reason more people watch the men game. Women broke record for most watched game at 9.9 million while men had lowest showing ever at 14 mil. Numbers speak for themselves. Wish the women game was more popular since that is historically our most dominant sport.

 

[GetEmVols]

You said “that one game” was “slow paced and boring.” Now you’re saying it’s fine. Did you even watch it? Did you even know the final score before I told you one team scored over 100?

Nah I didn’t watch it. Had to swing by target. I basically just watch lady vols since we have season tickets and that’s about all I watch of the women’s game.

 

[37620VOL]

I don’t like “rasslin”(fake) or nascar. You don’t have to be a redneck to see that women basketball is boring compared to men. There is a reason more people watch the men game. Women broke record for most watched game at 9.9 million while men had lowest showing ever at 14 mil. Numbers speak for themselves. Wish the women game was more popular since that is historically our most dominant sport.

To me, dunks are the worst part of watching basketball. Sweet passes, long 3's, crafty defense ... that's entertaining.

 

[KoachKrab127]

Nah I didn’t watch it. Had to swing by target. I basically just watch lady vols since we have season tickets and that’s about all I watch of the women’s game.

If you didn’t watch it, how did you come to the conclusion that it was boring?

 

[chuckiepoo]

To me, dunks are the worst part of watching basketball. Sweet passes, long 3's, crafty defense ... that's entertaining.

A sure two is a sure two. Coaches love them.

 

[GetEmVols]

If you didn’t watch it, how did you come to the conclusion that it was boring?

Because I’ve never watched a women’s basketball game that wasn’t boring unless it’s my own team.