Even casual observers of NCAA women’s basketball understand how University of Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark has helped elevate the sport across the country. But we’re afraid that Ms. Clark isn’t getting the full credit she deserves. Consider the new $920 million media rights deal between the NCAA and ESPN. That eight-year deal is […]
Even casual observers of NCAA women’s basketball understand how
University of Iowa women’s basketball star
Caitlin Clark has helped elevate the sport across the country.
But we’re afraid that Ms. Clark isn’t getting the full credit she deserves.
Consider the new $920 million media rights deal between the NCAA and ESPN. That eight-year deal is worth more than $115 million annually — higher than previously estimated.
It will be effective Sept. 1, 2024, and runs through 2032. The deal will include the rights to 40 NCAA championships — 21 women’s and 19 men’s events — as well as exclusive championship coverage of all rounds for women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, women’s gymnastics, softball, baseball and FCS football. It also provides international rights to the 40 championships and the Division I men’s basketball championship.
It has been highlighted that the agreement will provide more exposure and revenue to women’s sports, specifically women’s basketball.
It’s clear that this deal wouldn’t be as big without the star power of Ms. Clark, who has become a generational figure.
According to ESPN, the gritty battle for last year’s women’s college basketball championship between LSU and Iowa drew an average of 9.9 million viewers, making it the most viewed NCAA women’s basketball final in television history.
And Iowa’s regional final with Louisville collected an eye-popping 2.49 million viewers, larger than any of last season’s NBA games on ESPN, according to a news report.
So we are hoping that audiences and the public in general will not only appreciate Ms. Clark’s remarkable basketball skills, but also thank her for how she has helped transform an entire sport.
