Caitlin Clark, Iowa pack football stadium for women’s basketball game

Just before the Iowa women’s basketball team took the court against DePaul in Kinnick Stadium, a remarkable scene unfolded. With 55,646 fans in attendance, many of them young kids, Big Ten Network analyst Christy Winters-Scott commented on the significance of this moment. She pointed out that for these young girls in the stands, seeing women’s sports take center stage is becoming the norm.

Winters-Scott, a former player herself, understood that playing basketball in a football stadium in November, under chilly conditions, was not the typical setting for a game. However, in Iowa, where women’s basketball has always been popular, filling a football stadium with passionate fans is not entirely surprising. Caitlin Clark, the reigning national player of the year and a prodigious talent, has played a significant role in drawing fans to the game. Last season, Iowa had the second-highest attendance in women’s basketball, only behind South Carolina.

But it’s not just Caitlin Clark who is attracting crowds. The idea of sellout games for women’s sports is becoming increasingly common, whether it’s at Kinnick Stadium or other venues like Barclays Center, where the WNBA Finals were taking place simultaneously. In Brooklyn, 17,143 fans witnessed the New York Liberty secure their first playoff win in over two decades. The energy in these arenas is electric, with fans passionately supporting their favorite women athletes.

Despite the trolls on social media claiming that no one cares about women’s sports, the numbers tell a different story. On an NFL Sunday, two different locations saw enthusiastic crowds rallying behind their favorite women athletes. In Iowa, a record-breaking 55,656 fans turned up to watch the Hawkeyes win, while in Brooklyn, a sellout crowd cheered the Liberty to victory in the WNBA Finals.

These recent events are not isolated incidents. Just six weeks prior, Nebraska hosted an outdoor volleyball match at its football stadium, attracting a whopping 92,003 fans, a new record for a women’s sporting event in the United States. It’s not just the games themselves that are garnering attention; significant crowds were expected at several NWSL regular-season finales as well.

Players, coaches, and executives in women’s sports recognize that these large crowds need to become the norm. It is no longer enough for women’s sports to be ignored or undervalued. People are finally recognizing the power and appeal of female athletes. Breanna Stewart, the 2023 WNBA MVP, acknowledged the significance of this support and emphasized the role models that these athletes have become.

Stewart’s 2-year-old daughter Ruby has been a constant presence throughout the season, stealing hearts wherever she goes. Stewart understands the importance of her role as a role model for her daughter and for young kids everywhere. When asked why people are finally rallying behind women’s sports, Stewart humorously replied with, “We’ve been telling them the whole time they should get behind us.”

Stewart acknowledges that this moment is long overdue but is still grateful for the outpouring of support. She wants to continue being a positive role model and continue raising the bar for women’s sports. As for Caitlin Clark, her impact is only set to grow as she potentially enters the WNBA draft in the coming years. With the league expanding in 2025, the timing couldn’t be better for her and for women’s basketball in general.

After Iowa’s victory, coach Lisa Bluder expressed her gratitude to the crowd, emphasizing that a scene like this could only happen at the University of Iowa. However, it’s possible that other schools witnessed this event and are determined to surpass it. Perhaps, setting attendance records for women’s sports will become the norm not just at Iowa but everywhere.

In conclusion, the surge in support for women’s sports is undeniable. With packed stadiums, passionate fans, and enthusiastic crowds, the notion that no one cares about women’s sports is proven false. These athletes and games deserve the attention and recognition they are finally receiving. The future looks bright for women’s sports, and it’s about time.

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Laura Davis

Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.