Dawn Staley credits Caitlin Clark as the sole reason for the ratings boost in women's college basketball, emphasizing Clark's impact on viewership during this year's tournament.

By the Numbers
  • This year's women's NCAA national championship game featured South Carolina and Iowa.
  • Caitlin Clark, the former Hawkeyes superstar, is now playing for the Indiana Fever.
Yes, But

While Staley attributes the rise in viewership to Clark, some argue that other standout players also played a significant role in raising awareness of the sport.

State of Play
  • Dawn Staley, the South Carolina women's basketball coach, singles out Caitlin Clark for skyrocketing viewership in women's college basketball.
  • Staley's endorsement of Clark's influence underscores the significant impact of individual players on the visibility of the sport.
What's Next

Future games and tournaments will likely continue to benefit from increased viewership as star players like Caitlin Clark attract more attention to women's college basketball.

Bottom Line

Dawn Staley's assertion that Caitlin Clark is the sole reason for the recent ratings boost in women's college basketball highlights the individual influence of players in driving interest and awareness in the sport, setting a notable precedent for recognizing the impact of standout athletes.