What's happened
UConn defeated South Carolina 82-59 in the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship, drawing 8.5 million viewers. This marked UConn's first title since 2016, ending their longest championship drought. Despite the win, viewership declined significantly from previous years, raising questions about the future of women's basketball ratings.
What's behind the headline?
Viewership Trends
- The 8.5 million viewers for the championship game is a notable decline from last year's record 18.9 million.
- This drop raises concerns about the sustainability of high viewership numbers in women's basketball, especially following the departure of star players like Bueckers.
Competitive Landscape
- UConn's dominant performance against South Carolina highlights their resurgence in women's basketball, but the lack of competitive games in the tournament may have contributed to lower ratings.
- The absence of close matchups in the Final Four and championship game could deter casual viewers.
Future Implications
- With Bueckers heading to the WNBA and other stars facing injuries, the sport may struggle to maintain its current viewership levels.
- The question remains whether new stars can emerge to capture the audience's attention as previous players have done.
What the papers say
According to the NY Post, UConn's victory over South Carolina was marked by a significant viewership drop compared to previous years, stating, 'the 8.5 million viewership was, however, more than the 4.9 million viewers that UConn and South Carolina brought in the last time they played in the title game in 2022.' The Japan Times emphasized UConn's strong defense and standout performances from players like Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd, noting that 'the Gamecocks were unable to slow down freshman Sarah Strong.' Meanwhile, The Independent highlighted the historical context of the championship, mentioning that UConn's win ended their longest title drought since 1995, stating, 'the Huskies last cut down the nets in 2016.' These contrasting perspectives illustrate the significance of UConn's victory while also addressing the challenges facing women's basketball viewership.
How we got here
The 2025 championship was a rematch of the 2022 final, where South Carolina triumphed over UConn. UConn's victory this year ended an eight-year title drought, while South Carolina aimed for back-to-back championships. The game featured star players like Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong.
Go deeper
- What factors contributed to the drop in viewership?
- How will UConn's victory impact women's basketball?
- Who are the emerging stars in women's basketball?
Common question
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What to Expect in the NCAA Championship Games on April 7, 2025?
The NCAA Championship games are just around the corner, featuring thrilling matchups that fans won't want to miss. With the Florida Gators facing either Duke or Houston in the men's final and UConn going up against South Carolina in the women's final, there's plenty to discuss. Here are some key questions and insights to prepare you for the big day.
More on these topics
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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South Carolina is a state in the Southeastern United States and the easternmost of the Deep South. It is bordered to the north by North Carolina, to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the southwest by Georgia across the Savannah River.
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Paige Bueckers is an American basketball player who attended Hopkins High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota. A five-star recruit and the number one player in the 2020 class, she is committed to play college basketball for UConn.
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Dawn Michelle Staley is an American basketball Hall of Fame player and coach who is currently the head coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
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The South Carolina Gamecocks represent the University of South Carolina in the NCAA Division I. This moniker is in honor of Thomas Sumter, a Revolutionary War hero from South Carolina who was nicknamed the "Carolina Gamecock" after British General Banastr
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Texas is a state in the South Central Region of the United States. It is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population.
