South Carolina-Iowa women's basketball national championship draws record viewership

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The NCAA women’s basketball national championship between South Carolina and Iowa smashed ratings records on Sunday.

The Gamecocks’ win over the Hawkeyes drew in 18.7 million views to ABC’s coverage with a peak of 24 million viewers during the game, according to ESPN. The number is up 89% from last year and 285% from the 2022 national championship.

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South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley celebrates after the Final Four college basketball championship game against Iowa in the women's NCAA Tournament, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

ESPN said the game was the most-watched sporting event outside of American football and the Olympics since 2019.

Two key factors helped bring the ratings to new heights. Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks looked to remain undefeated and finish the year with its second championship in three seasons all while Caitlin Clark was hoping to end her collegiate career with a national championship.

Clark scored 30 points but it wasn’t enough to topple South Carolina.

The Iowa sharpshooter’s scoring mark set earlier this season drew global attention onto the sport of women’s basketball.

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South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley cuts down the net after the Final Four college basketball championship game against Iowa in the women's NCAA Tournament, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Staley credited Clark with helping lift the sport over the last two seasons as she celebrated the win.

"I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for