The 2025 NCAA Tournament national championship game between UConn and South Carolina was highly anticipated, featuring a powerhouse match-up with intriguing storylines, such as South Carolina’s attempt to repeat as champions and Paige Bueckers’ potential swan song. However, the game, which ended in a decisive 82-59 victory for the Huskies, saw a notable drop in viewership compared to the previous year. The 2025 title game garnered 8.5 million viewers, a sharp decline from the 18.9 million who tuned in for the 2024 championship, which featured Caitlin Clark, a star player widely regarded as the best in college basketball.
The dip in ratings sparked conversations, with many pointing to the absence of Clark as a factor in the decline. The 2024 title game, where Clark’s Iowa team faced off against LSU, became a massive viewing event, partly due to Clark’s electrifying play. Some fans and analysts speculated that her absence from the 2025 final contributed significantly to the drop in viewership. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy even took to social media, challenging critics who attribute Clark’s popularity to her race, asking why the ratings were so much lower in 2025, despite the presence of another highly-rated player in Bueckers.
Portnoy’s tweet, which sparked a lively debate, suggested that Clark’s appeal went beyond race and was more about her generational talent. Many fans agreed, with some noting that Clark’s style of play—comparable to NBA legends like Stephen Curry—was a major draw. “Caitlin Clark is a generational talent,” one fan said, comparing her to figures like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Others praised her for changing the way people watch basketball, noting how her ability to pull off incredible, game-changing moments made her must-see television.
The discussion around the ratings also highlighted how Clark’s unique skills on the court were a key factor in driving viewership. One fan explained that they watched the previous year’s final primarily to see Clark and Iowa challenge the defending champions, LSU. “It’s like watching Curry,” another fan commented, likening Clark’s game to that of the NBA superstar. With a combination of unparalleled skill and an ability to make every game exciting, Clark’s influence on women’s college basketball has only grown stronger, and her absence in the 2025 final was felt by many fans.
While the debate over race and popularity continues, many fans simply celebrated Clark’s status as one of the most entertaining players to ever play the game. Her ability to captivate audiences, regardless of the circumstances, underscores the growing influence of women’s sports and the lasting impact she has had on the basketball community. As discussions around her popularity persist, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark is a generational talent who has redefined what it means to be a basketball star in the modern era.
