“You’re seeing the growth in many places: attendance records, viewership and social media engagement surrounding March Madness,” UCLA head coach Cori Close said after USC’s 87-75 title win over Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes. And she wasn’t just throwing around feel-good quotes — the numbers backed her up.
For the first time ever, the NCAA Women’s Championship game outdrew the men’s. You read that right. Clark’s final collegiate game pulled in a peak audience of 24.1 million viewers during its final 15 minutes, making it the second-most-watched non-Olympic women’s sporting event in U.S. television history.
However, the outcome was heartbreaking for Hawkeye Nation. South Carolina lifted their fourth national title and denied Clark her storybook ending. Yet the moment was bigger than just a win or loss — it was a cultural shift.
The end of #22’s legendary college career became the very thing that passed the torch to a new chapter. With Clark’s departure, the NCAA entered a new era — and all eyes turned to the next icon: Paige Bueckers.
Many expected Paige — with her deep-rooted fanbase and undeniable star power — to fill the void Clark left. And in some ways, she did. But when it came to matching the tidal wave of The Caitlin Clark Effect, it was clear: not even UConn’s brightest star could immediately keep pace.
Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers: two superstars and one shot at glory
Take the 2025 Final Four showdown between Bueckers’ Huskies and UCLA. Amalie Arena was packed with 19,731 fans — a full sellout. But still, it didn’t come close to Clark’s unforgettable “Crossover at Kinnick” back in October. That event shattered barriers, literally.
With 55,646 fans in the stands, it marked the first time a women’s basketball game was played outdoors in a football stadium. Additionally, it set a new NCAA single-game attendance record for the sport.
“What a day for our state and the game of women’s basketball. 55,000 people in attendance is crazy,” Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said, clearly moved by the historic moment.
And the numbers didn’t stop there. During the 2023-24 season, Iowa sold out every single home game. Seventeen of the program’s 19 all-time sellouts had happened during Clark’s three-year reign.
Even away games became a spectacle. When Iowa hit the road, schools like Wisconsin (14,252), Nebraska (15,042), and Ohio State (18,660) posted record-breaking crowds — all chasing a glimpse of greatness.
No wonder analysts dubbed it the Caitlin Clark Effect. The phenomenon didn’t just boost ratings or fill gyms — it helped fuel Iowa’s economy, contributing an estimated $14.4 to $52.3 million through increased game attendance, hotel stays, merchandise, and more.
IOWA CITY, IA – MARCH 25: Iowa guard Caitlin Clark 22 as seen at a post game press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz after the West Virginia Mountaineers game versus the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the NCAA, College League, USA Division I Women s Championship on March 25, 2024, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire NCAA BASKETBALL: MAR 25 Div I Women s Championship Second Round – West Virginia vs Iowa EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2403002506
Still, don’t mistake that spotlight for a solo act. Paige Bueckers may not have replicated Clark’s record-breaking crowds just yet, but her presence is undeniably magnetic. UConn’s away games this season saw schools like Creighton, Butler, and DePaul shatter their own attendance records.
In fact, Butler drew 9,100 fans — the most in program history — just to see Bueckers take the court. So if you’re comparing the two, don’t count Bueckers out.
Don’t count out Paige Bueckers
Wherever Paige Bueckers goes, the crowds follow — and not quietly. On January 25, 2025, when UConn traveled to Creighton, the game didn’t just make headlines for the final score. It packed the house with 11,141 fans — the largest crowd in Creighton women’s basketball history. And that wasn’t a one-time spike.
Just weeks earlier, Butler hosted a staggering 9,100 fans for their showdown with the Huskies. Even DePaul shattered its own attendance records when UConn came to town.
So what’s driving the surge? One name: Paige Bueckers.
While the official numbers from every arena might not be fully documented, one thing’s crystal clear — UConn has been drawing sell-out crowds all season long. And it’s not just about wins and rankings. It’s about star power. Bueckers, with her blend of on-court excellence and off-court charisma, has turned every game into an event.
Some fans have even called it the “Taylor Swift effect” — and honestly, it fits. People aren’t just coming to watch a basketball game; they’re coming to witness something bigger. From warmups to buzzer-beaters to those unforgettable post-game interactions, Bueckers has become the face of not just UConn, but of a movement in women’s college hoops.
She’s not just building a fanbase — she’s redefining what women’s college basketball can be.
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