Caitlin Clark’s Absence Not a Problem as Iowa Outshines Paige Bueckers’ UConn in Viewership

The TIME Athlete of the Year has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on women’s basketball. From driving up TV viewership and drawing fans to arenas to delivering jaw-dropping performances, Caitlin Clark has done it all. While many believe her dominance began back in April when the 22-year-old Iowa native was drafted as the No. 1 pick, her journey to greatness started much earlier—during her collegiate years.

As a star player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Caitlin Clark began setting records—not just on the court but also on television screens. Her final two seasons with Iowa brought unprecedented viewership levels, earning her the title “GOAT of TV Ratings” from The Wall Street Journal. Her impact transcended sports, making her a cultural phenomenon. But this raises a critical question: What has happened to Iowa since Clark’s departure?

Currently, the No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes, with a 9-1 record, are striving to maintain momentum. While they haven’t yet shattered viewership records like they did during Clark’s era, they’re on the right path. In a recent highlight, Louisville’s game against the No. 2 UConn Huskies surprisingly drew fewer viewers than Tennessee’s matchup with Iowa.

While the latter attracted 560K viewers, the former garnered 466K in FOX viewership, according to Vanshay Murdock, photojournalist at KMSP FOX 9.

But Iowa’s victories extend beyond TV ratings. Last Sunday, just before Thanksgiving, Carver-Hawkeye Arena experienced a proud moment. Two hours before tip-off against Washington State, the lines at the gates spilled over, with fans eager to support their team. “I still have people asking to borrow my [season] tickets,” a fan shared.

The energy and magic Caitlin Clark brought to women’s collegiate basketball has clearly endured, especially in Iowa City. Last year, during the peak of “Clark Mania,” the Hawkeyes sold out their 15,000-seat ticket allotment for the first time. Remarkably, even with CC now in the WNBA and her former team entering this season unranked for the first time since 2020, they’ve sold out again.

However, adjusting to life without Clark hasn’t been without challenges.

The challenges and opportunities for the Hawkeyes in the post-Caitlin Clark era

In the Tennessee vs. Iowa showdown, the Hawkeyes committed 30 turnovers—their most in 22 years—leading to a 78-68 loss against The Lady Vols. Still, the nationally televised doubleheader featuring Iowa, Louisville, UConn, and Paige Bueckers drew nearly 10,000 attendees. Surprisingly, it’s not the first time Iowa has overshadowed UConn in the basketball spotlight.

Last season, Iowa’s Elite Eight victory against LSU set the all-time ratings record for a women’s college basketball game. Later, their thrilling 71-69 win over UConn in the Final Four further cemented their status as trailblazers. That game averaged 14.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s basketball game ever and ESPN’s largest basketball broadcast audience. The viewership peaked at 17 million, becoming ESPN’s second most-watched non-football telecast.

Reflecting on that championship run, Caitlin Clark described it as “the cherry on top” but emphasized that she hopes her legacy extends beyond the accolades.

USA Today via Reuters

Even after Clark’s departure, the Hawkeyes continue to draw massive interest. Their revenge game against LSU last year, which helped them advance to their second consecutive Final Four, garnered more than 12 million viewers. That rematch of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Championship peaked at 16.1 million viewers.

ESPN reported that ratings for the women’s NCAA Tournament increased by an astonishing 127% year-over-year, largely due to Caitlin Clark’s unparalleled popularity. But, now the question is: Can the unranked Iowa Hawkeyes maintain this momentum without their superstar? Stay tuned to find out!