The women’s March Madness title match pits South Carolina and Iowa against its biggest star and new-money kingdom.
Sunday’s battle will be the pinnacle of what’s shaping up to be a watershed event for women’s hockey. TV ratings have set multiple records, Final Four ticket prices have soared, and some of the NCAA’s biggest stars ( like Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso ) have announced they’ll turn pro, a welcome boost for the WNBA.
This particular contest is a desire game for Disney, which will heat Sunday’s last on ABC. It is also a smile to the club’s shifting power fluid. The dominant players in children’s sports were Tennessee and UNC for the majority of the previous three decades. As the activity grew in popularity, various schools have emerged to discuss in the new business opportunities. The most notable newcomers may be Clark’s Iowa ( two straight title games ) and South Carolina’s ( four straight Final Fours ) undefeated.
One thing about each team’s culture before their fight on Sunday afternoon is revealed here.
Iowa – Clark ManiaIowa sold out every one home game this season, averaging 14, 998 followers per match. That’s off from 7, 102 in 2019- 2020, the year before Clark arrived in Iowa City. That year, the Hawkeyes reported$ 366, 860 in women’s sports ticket revenue. Last year, the most recent season of financial information, the Hawkeyes reported$ 1.4 million. That amount may climb again—likely significantly—when the macroeconomic 2024 numbers are available.
The Clark- related seat riches, however, were n’t simply claimed by the Hawkeyes. Additionally, Iowa canceled each real highway game it hosted this year. The Hawkeyes drew 18, 660 followers for their game against Ohio State in January, an OSU report. The Hawkeyes visited Northwestern the following year, causing its program to sell out for the first time.
Opposite Give GapSouth Carolina mind coach Dawn Staley is a member of a very special team: women’s college coaches who are paid more than their male counterparts. According to the seven-year deal she signed in October 2021, Sttaley will receive$ 3.1 million in foundation give this year. Lamont Paris, manager of the South Carolina men’s group, will produce$ 2.3 million.
Staley, who will also get home a big six- find extra thanks to her team’s performance this year, is one of the highest- paid coaches in women’s basketball this year, according to USA Today. Among public school coaches she trails just LSU’s Kim Mulkey ($ 3.3 million ), and makes the same as UConn’s Geno Auriemma ($ 3.1 million ).
More March Madness reports: –NC State Booster Club, NIL Collective Riding Final Four Gravy Train –Athletes ‘ Movement in NIL Case Pits Baker’s Thoughts Against NCAA–WNBA Has Big Plans to Walk Women’s Sports Momentum–Final Four Coaches Get Experience Pays Off: Data Viz