The average secondary ticket price for the NCAA Women's Final Four earlier this week “was twice as high” as it was for the men's event, according to the AP. Logitix data shows the average price of a ticket sold to the women’s Final Four was $2,323, compared to $1,001.21 for the men's Final Four. Including data “from sales made a month ago and longer,” the average price for the women’s Final Four is $1,131.78, compared with $400.29 for the same period in 2023. Overall average ticket price for the men’s Final Four is $993.70, compared with $636.43 in 2023 (AP, 4/3). Vivid Seats has seen website traffic jump by 160% after Iowa beat LSU on Monday to make the Final Four. The price demand “also increased by 19% overnight.” Company data shows 44% of the crowd tomorrow at Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse are Iowa fans. South Carolina is second with 32% (USA TODAY, 4/3).
GREATNESS EVERYWHERE: The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s Jason Gay writes everything around the Final Four “feels a little bigger, noisier, sharper -- mostly because of the women’s side.” Players like G Caitlin Clark and UConn G Paige Bueckers are “must-watch didja-just-see-that generational talents." Clark is a “boundary-bending distance shooter” who has recalibrated the women’s game like Warriors G Stephen Curry did in the NBA. She and Bueckers, along with USC G JuJu Watkins and LSU F Angel Reese -- both of whom lost in the Elite Eight on Monday -- “have oodles of style and personality, and permission to capitalize.” Meanwhile, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is perhaps the “most charismatic coach in hoops.” Gay: “The Final Four has always meant something. This year, it feels like it means a little more” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/4).
WHO RUNS THE SHOW? In Philadelphia, Marcus Hayes writes women’s college basketball in recent week has “ruled the sports landscape.” The talent, skill, charisma and character of the top stars made the women’s Elite Eight the "elite story of the weekend” and they are “just getting started.” Hayes: “Historically, the guys would draw the spotlight, but the men’s game has become a maelstrom of portal-hopping, one-and-done mercenaries; at least, more so than the women’s game. Maybe this is the new normal.” There were lots of personalities in this women’s tournament, but Clark “is the engine.” Hayes: “Can Clark, Reese, Bueckers, and, eventually, Watkins carry their massive popularity into, and through, their WNBA careers? Sue Bird and Brianna Stewart and Lisa Leslie did not. That was then.” He adds they “have a better chance now than ever before” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/4). TSN.ca’s Claire Hanna wrote the women’s college game is “reaching a new crescendo” as it is “proving that its stars can become household names.” Players like Watkins “will lead the next wave of exciting talent.” Hanna: “Women’s college basketball isn’t just having a moment this spring. It’s announcing that it’s here to stay” (TSN.ca, 4/3).
ALL EYES ON CLARK: In Pittsburgh, Jason Mackey writes Clark is transformative...generational...captivating." Mackey: "The best offensive player the women’s game has ever seen? Likely true on all counts." Women’s Basketball HOFer Suzie McConnell-Serio said Clark has “elevated women’s basketball like no one else has” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/4).In Orlando, Mike Bianchi wrote it is “amazingly refreshing ... that a women’s college basketball player in Iowa is the biggest superstar in American sports?” Clark is “bringing more attention and eyeballs to her sport than any other athlete in this country.” If Clark “isn’t playing for Iowa, then barely anybody is watching” the women's tournament. Bianchi: “I’m not saying this Caitlin Craze will carry over to the WNBA next season, but right now -- in this magical moment in time -- she is the biggest superstar in sports” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/3).
