Every year, we witness it all, yet the following year proves to be bigger and better. The 2024 – 2025 college basketball season concluded on Sunday, April 6, with a highly anticipated game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the UConn Huskies. This year’s games continued the momentum from last year in promoting growth for women’s sports, showcasing the love and support for these athletes. The Final Four generated excitement as UCLA aimed to return to the championship stage for the first time since 1978, while the Texas Longhorns held similar aspirations since their victory in 1986.
By the Numbers
The Final Four took place at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. This was Tampa’s fourth time hosting the tournament, with other years (2008, 2015, 2019, and 2025). The lowest-priced ticket was at $200, and the 21,500 seater arena was a full house. This year, the arena hosted over 123,000 fans from the Final Four to the championship game. This year’s Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Convention (WBCA) saw a rise in the number of attendees to 2,891. In addition, the Final Four games had an average viewership of 3.9 million on ESPN, making it the second most consumed NCAA women’s tournament on record. The championship game between UConn and South Carolina had a viewership of 8.6 million on ESPN.
Statistics by Togethxr
According to statistics from Togethxr, this marked the fourth consecutive year that women’s Final Four and championship games sold out. The attendance is only increasing, with 18,286 fans in 2022 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, 19,288 fans in 2023 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, 18,284 fans in 2024 at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, and this year, a record 19,731 fans.
Geno’s Statement at the Press Conference
Geno Auriemma, the 12-time College Basketball National Champion head coach, took a moment to acknowledge the increasing number of women covering women’s sports during a post-game press conference. The UConn Huskies had just qualified for the championship game after defeating the UCLA Bruins 85-51. He stated, “Before I leave, I do have to say this. And not just because it’s women’s basketball. But I’ve been to these Final Fours for 24 years. This is the most women I have ever seen at a press conference since I started this 40 years ago. I’m just really, really proud of you all.”
Women’s Sports Direction
Each year, women’s sports are improving, both on the field and in administrative roles off the field. Continued growth in the right direction is essential not only for women’s sports and fans but also for increasing funding, television airtime, and other media allocations, setting a strong foundation for the younger generation.
