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The commentary incorporated dismay about the women’s tournament’s diminishing ratings but also acknowledged it as being the third most-watched Final Four on record. The underlying implication was clear: while strides have been made, there remains a considerable gap in engagement compared to men’s basketball, exacerbated by the absence of identifiable star players to capture viewer interest.
The analyst proposed that much of the women’s draw this season was contingent on standout players such as Caitlyn Clark and Paige Beckers, who have since moved on from college basketball. With rising stars facing injury or transitioning away from the collegiate level, the future of viewership remains uncertain. The looming question was: who will captivate audiences next?