What recent basketball game broke records and continued the surge in viewership for women's sports?

Answer: LSU vs. Iowa (4/1/2024)

Hans Pennink/AP

Questions:

1. What factors do you think contributed to this being the most-watched college basketball game ever on ESPN?
2. Discuss the potential financial implications for the athletes involved in such high-visibility games.
3. Did you watch this game? If so, what was your motivation to tune in?
4. Have there been any other high-profile events that have inspired you to pay attention to something or act in a certain way?

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Behind the numbers (NPR):

"When the two most fascinating basketball teams in the country tipped off in a win-or-go-home game Monday night, the country took notice: Iowa and LSU attracted the second-largest audience for any basketball game on ESPN — college or pro — since 2012, the network said.

ESPN says 12.3 million people watched the rematch of last year's NCAA women's tournament final, with a peak audience of 16.1 million viewers.

'Most-watched college basketball game EVER on ESPN platforms,' the network said.

The Elite Eight game pitted Iowa and its superstar Caitlin Clark, the most prolific scorer in NCAA history, against LSU and its superstar, Angel Reese, the NCAA's record holder for double-doubles in a season."

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About the Author

Ryan Wood

Ryan grew up with and maintains a love for learning. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a degree in Business Administration and worked in sports marketing for a number of years. After living in Texas, Colorado, Tennessee, and Minnesota, the call of education eventually brought Ryan back to his home state of Wisconsin where he was a Business and Marketing teacher for three years. In his free time he likes to spend time with his wife and daughter, play basketball, read, and go fishing. Now with NGPF, Ryan is excited to help teachers lead the most important course their students will ever take.