Women’s sports are having a moment, and basketball, in particular, is at the forefront. Thanks to players like Caitlin Clark and college programs like South Carolina, women’s basketball is finally receiving the recognition it has long deserved. The legendary Gamecocks program with three national championships under Coach Dawn Staley is now breaking records off the court. 

The Gamecocks have sold out their season tickets for the first time ever. The basketball stars have been giving their best and breaking records for years, but only now are arenas filling up with fans cheering them on while they do so. Coach Staley had a bold response when asked about the rise of women’s basketball and South Carolina’s elite status. 

“Women’s basketball is here. It’s not coming—it’s arrived,” Staley declared. She highlighted the packed arenas and the growing demand for games, joking, “You could probably schedule a game on the moon, and people would show up.” For the Gamecocks HC, this moment has been years in the making.

“I’m happy for our game; it’s long overdue,” she expressed at the post-game press conference. “This is the place we’ve always envisioned ourselves…Maybe others didn’t have this kind of vision, but the players, the coaches, the fans—they always knew we’d get here.” 

And now that women’s basketball has reached this milestone, she made it clear there’s no turning back. The Gamecocks’ October announcement that they’ve sold out season tickets for the first time in program history is an example of how far the sport has come. A record-breaking 13,046 season tickets have been sold, covering all lower-level seats at the Colonial Life Arena, which has an 18,000-seat capacity.

The Gamecocks have been the nation’s attendance leaders for the past decade, but this year feels different. Nearly 2,000 new fans joined the season ticket roster. Coach Staley’s leadership, combined with the team’s on-court success, including an undefeated season and a national title win over Iowa last year, has clearly hooked fans.

For those looking to attend individual games, single-game tickets are live. And in a smart move, the team is introducing a “Fast Break Pass,” allowing fans to skip lines at the door and concessions. However, amid this season’s buzz, it’s impossible to ignore Caitlin Clark’s role in elevating women’s basketball to this new level. 

From the Caitlin Clark Effect to the Dawn Staley Effect

Last year was a banner season for college basketball, with record-breaking ticket sales, skyrocketing viewership, and unprecedented NIL deals. Clark’s performances at Iowa captured the nation’s attention. The 2023 March Madness game between Iowa and LSU was watched by over 12 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever. Iowa itself saw a 162% jump in average ticket prices, largely thanks to Clark’s electrifying play.

Dawn Staley herself acknowledged Clark’s impact, which, by the way, CC carried forward to the WNBA as well. “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport,” Staley said after South Carolina’s championship win. “She carried a heavy load for our sport.” But it wasn’t just Iowa benefiting. All five power conferences reported increased ticket sales and viewership, with matchups like LSU vs. South Carolina drawing millions of fans.

Now, with Caitlin Clark graduating, fans are turning their attention to Dawn Staley and Co. Many are calling this the “Dawn Staley era,” and it’s easy to see why. South Carolina is already an elite program. So, now all we can say is the best days are ahead.