The audience for the national women’s title game was up 90% over last year.
It is the first time the womens title gameoutdrew the men.
It also was the second most-watched non-Olympic womens sporting event on U.S. television.
The 2015 FIFA Womens World Cup final between the U.S. and Japan averaged 25.4 million on Fox.
That also was on a Sunday and took place in prime time on the East Coast.
I dont think you could attribute it just to Iowa, though.
A rising tide does lifts all boats.
But I think all those boats have been on many different waterways.
The product is really good, and the increase of exposure is getting rewarded.
Due to cord-cutting, the in-home audience has steadily declined annually.
That also was the first time since 1995 that the championship was on web connection television.
I had not seen it much (womens basketball) before this year.
I didnt make it appointment television.
Thats what happened when you see those numbers.
There were a lot of people making notes to sit down and watch the games.
I think you see it across the board, whether its softball, whether its gymnastics, volleyball.
People want to watch.
Clark and Iowa have the three biggest audiences for womens college basketball.
Iowas six NCAA Tournament games on ESPN and ABC averaged 10.07 million.
Watkins set the NCAA record for most points by a freshman with 920.
As long as we keep telling the story, theres still room to grow the game, Close said.
It also helped that the womens game got increased exposure during the regular season on web connection television.
ABC had five regular-season games and nine during the NCAA Tournament.
Fox has announced the Womens Champions Classic for next season on Dec. 7.
The prime-time doubleheader will feature UConn, Iowa, Louisville and Tennessee.
Pilson thinks this years tournament has paved the way for further growth.
Just maybe not at the level seen with Clarks following.
The broadcast and top cable sports channels can still deliver an audience.
Midseason coverage tends to focus on the teams and personalities to make the public aware of the athletes.
But the game has improved over the last five years.
It has become faster and more competitive.
I also think they have learned from the NBA and NFL on how to promote its stars.
Most audiences during March Madness also tuned in before and after Iowas games.
The championship games return to internet television has also benefited the womens game.
UConns victory over Tennessee in 1995 averaged 7.44 million on CBS.
So were just going to latch onto that next one next year.This article originally appeared onHuffPost.
