Rising Stars and Bigger Budgets Ignite Passion for Women’s Basketball

INDIANAPOLIS — Known for its rich basketball culture, Indiana embraces the NCAA women’s tournament this March with enthusiasm. This year’s event is set to highlight the growth and popularity of women’s basketball.

Three teams from Indiana—Ball State, Indiana, and Notre Dame—have made it into the tournament bracket, showcasing the state’s competitive spirit in women’s basketball.

Following a season that saw unprecedented viewership, recent changes to the tournament format promise to sustain the excitement and attract a new generation of women’s basketball supporters.

Jake Query, from 93.5 and 107.5 FM The Fan, expressed that “women deserve the same opportunities,” noting how the women’s game has reached impressive heights with exciting individual talents. The increase in local support highlights the growing investment in women’s basketball as it evolves into a compelling national story.

Query points out that standout players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are significant draws for fans, but they represent just part of the larger momentum propelling interest in women’s basketball.

Financial advancements, including lucrative NIL agreements and substantial television deals, are capturing the attention of fans and investors alike. As Query remarks, “everything is fun and games until big-time money gets involved,” emphasizing that this financial growth will significantly impact various programs moving forward.

This year, in a notable move, teams participating in the women’s tournament will receive individual “bonus” funds for every game they play, a concept that was not feasible even after last year’s historic viewership spike.

Nielsen ratings indicate that the 2024 women’s championship game, featuring Iowa versus South Carolina, attracted over 24 million viewers, surpassing the men’s championship game. This marked it as the most-watched basketball game across all levels since 2019, showcasing the sport’s ability to draw in new fans and athletes at an unprecedented rate.

According to Query, there’s a noticeable trend of young girls playing basketball year-round through AAU and travel circuits, akin to what has been seen on the men’s side for many years. This growth in participation has elevated the level and parity of women’s basketball play compared to a decade ago.