The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship was set to be a marquee event. UConn versus South Carolina — two powerhouse programs, stacked rosters, and a dramatic showdown on the biggest stage. But despite all the hype and a thrilling game, one glaring thing was missing: Caitlin Clark.

And the numbers showed it.

The final game, featuring UConn’s star Paige Bueckers and South Carolina’s dominant squad, drew an estimated 8.5 million viewers. By any measure, that’s impressive — the third-most-watched women’s championship game in NCAA history. But compared to the 18.9 million viewers who tuned in the previous year to watch Caitlin Clark’s Iowa take on South Carolina, it marked a dramatic drop of over 10 million viewers.

The Clark Effect

It’s impossible to ignore the impact Caitlin Clark had on women’s basketball viewership. Her electrifying play, logo-range three-pointers, and fiery competitiveness made her a must-watch athlete — and she didn’t just bring basketball fans. She brought casual fans, new fans, everyone to the screen.

The contrast between the 2024 and 2025 championship games sent a clear message: Clark wasn’t just a player — she was a phenomenon.

Spotlight on Bueckers

For Paige Bueckers, the spotlight has always been bright. A high school prodigy turned UConn superstar, she has long been considered one of the faces of women’s college basketball. She has the game, the charisma, and the following. But without Clark in the championship, the drop in numbers left many questioning whether the sport’s viewership can sustain the meteoric rise it saw with Clark at the center.

Social media quickly pounced on the ratings dip, some joking that Bueckers might be feeling “instant regret” or pressure to carry the viewership torch — a role that now seems larger than any one player. While the phrase is used tongue-in-cheek, it speaks to the new reality of women’s basketball: Caitlin Clark raised the bar, and now everyone is chasing it.

A League Bigger Than One Player?

Of course, it’s not fair to place the weight of national ratings on Bueckers’ shoulders. The championship was still a massive success, especially considering that it drew more viewers than many major men’s sports events. The UConn-South Carolina matchup had everything — elite coaching, clutch plays, and historic implications.

Still, the stark difference in viewership with and without Clark is a wake-up call for the NCAA, broadcasters, and even the WNBA. Sustaining fan interest will require building up more stars, telling more stories, and ensuring that the momentum generated by players like Clark and Bueckers continues beyond individual careers.

What’s Next?

Bueckers, for her part, played brilliantly throughout the tournament. She showed leadership, resilience, and poise under pressure. There’s no doubt she’s a star — and she’ll likely be one of the top picks in the upcoming WNBA Draft. But the comparison to Clark is inevitable, and the pressure to not just perform on the court, but to attract viewers and grow the game, is very real.

This year’s viewer drop may not be a reflection on Bueckers personally — but rather, a sign of how monumental Caitlin Clark’s presence truly was. Her absence created a void that even a thrilling championship couldn’t entirely fill.

But if there’s one thing we know about Paige Bueckers, it’s that she thrives under pressure. And whether it’s on the court or in the spotlight, she’ll be back — not just to win games, but to prove she can help carry the sport into its next great era.