Caitlin Clark thought Sunday’s championship game on ABC could bring in 15 million viewers. It did that, and more.
SBJ was standing with ESPN PR folks on the ground in Cleveland on Saturday when Friday’s then-record-breaking numbers came in. The general response? “Oh my god.”
That record would only hold for less than 48 hours.
On Sunday, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley opened the championship post-game press conference thanking Clark for everything she’s done to elevate the women’s game. When SBJ asked Staley what she thought Sunday’s viewership might be? “Caitlin was in it?” Staley said with a laugh. “She’s going to best herself. She’s going to best what it was in the semifinals.”
But the games themselves weren’t the only viewership attraction. SBJ went behind the scenes with ESPN’s studio team -- Elle Duncan, Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike, Aliyah Boston and Carolyn Peck -- for the Final Four. The squad has attracted social media attention for their chemistry and excellent game analysis (it was all about the vibes). Check out more on that studio squad in next week's SBJ magazine.
The home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame also attracted its fair share of celebs this weekend. "Ted Lasso" star Jason Sudeikis is a long-standing women’s basketball fan, frequently found courtside at the WNBA N.Y. Liberty games. The actor has been spotted alongside Sue Bird at games in Iowa City this season as well, and it was a surprise to no one he was in Cleveland.
SBJ ran into Sudeikis a few times, and on Saturday night at a party hosted by media brand Togethxr, they chatted about his investment in the women’s game. Sudeikis said that while he’s been a frequent guest of the Liberty, for the upcoming season, he’s purchased courtside seats for him and his daughter, adding that it’s all about support.
