UConn means basketball, no? It is the only school that has won both men’s and women’s Division I basketball titles in the same season (2004 and 2014) and it continues to serve as an example of the kind of value basketball programs can have, even when college football is dictating so much across the athletics landscape, from TV contracts to conference realignment.

“I would say its biggest value for our university is the overall brand recognition,” UConn athletic director Dave Benedict had said. “Obviously basketball schools don’t necessarily benefit as significantly from a financial standpoint [as big-time football programs] but certainly from a brand recognition standpoint.””

The Huskies compete in the Big East for many sports, including basketball, but are independent in football. UConn ranked outside the top 70 public FBS schools in football ticket sales in fiscal year 2023 (just $1.7 million) but was 13th in men’s basketball ticket sales ($6.3 million) and first in women’s basketball ticket sales ($2.8 million).

“If you look at the history of the Big East, it has really shown over time that basketball can thrive, whether you have big time football or not,” Big East senior associate commissioner Dan Leibovitz said. “If you get the right coach and resources in place, you know what can happen. You don’t need 100 players in basketball, just a roster of 13 scholarships. … There’s really no ceiling to what [UConn] can accomplish.” With all the focus on basketball, the UConn women’s basketball program has reached a stellar financial accomplishment.

The UConn women’s basketball program has passed the $3.25 million mark in ticket sales for the 2023-24 season. Vaulting past Alabama, LSU, and Oregon men’s basketball programs. For context, that’s $3.25 million in ticket sales for the Huskies. Which tops the revenue of over 75 public men’s college basketball teams. Including Alabama ($2.8 million), LSU ($2.4 million), and Oregon ($2.3 million) — from the prior year.

That’s a tremendous accomplishment for the program, especially considering the sustained excellence under head coach Geno Auriemma and how passionate that fan base has been for so long. But, nonetheless, this is more than just a number, it’s a turning point. Women’s college basketball, long overshadowed by its male counterpart, is now commanding attention on and off the court.

The program’s success isn’t accidental. There are several reasons for their rise. UConn’s record speaks for itself: 11 national championships and 23 Final Four appearances. These have made the Huskies a feared force in women’s basketball. Also, players like Paige Bueckers are magnetic. Her presence makes her one of the brightest stars in college basketball, pulling in fans and media alike and helping boost ticket sales and the team’s profile.

For the first time in two decades, season tickets for both men’s and women’s games at Gampel Pavilion have sold out. While it is a watershed moment for women’s sports, UConn’s achievement creates a cloud hanging over numerous men’s programs. For years, men’s college basketball has been considered the financial backbone of athletic departments. However, UConn’s historic achievement proves that women’s basketball can not only keep up with the revenue game but can push right to the top.

UConn isn’t alone in experiencing this surge. The popularity of standout players like Caitlin Clark has also driven revenue growth for programs like Iowa. It’s a sign that the commercial gap between men’s and women’s basketball is closing, as women’s programs are attracting more fans and sponsors.

However, it’s not all smooth sailing. Despite its outstanding ticket sales, UConn’s women’s basketball program had a $6 million deficit in the fiscal year 2022-23. This may be discouraging, but it’s important to note that revenue trends are going in the right way, which means women’s sports will have a better future. In the midst of all this, the attention is now focused on a star player from Uconn.

Paige Bueckers leading the way for UConn

At the heart of UConn’s success is Paige Bueckers. Fans have been dazzled by the skills of the redshirt senior, who averages 19.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. She is as efficient as they come, shooting 55.9% from the field and 40.3% from three. Stats are just stats; beyond the stats Bueckers is a leader, giving her team optimism, resilience, and competitive spirit.

“We have the best player in America. And, you know, just saying that because the numbers in this world of analytics, the numbers say that she is. And the whole stat sheet says that she is. And everybody that watched knows it, and we’re fortunate,” Auriemma had said about Bueckers.

Her season hasn’t been without challenges. A knee sprain she suffered in a game against Villanova earlier this January sidelined her briefly. But the injury was not as bad as feared. However, in her absence teammates stepped up, like Azzi Fudd, showing the depth in talent on the UConn roster as well. The Huskies proved they’re more than a one-player team with victories against Xavier and Georgetown.

The momentum behind women’s sports is reflected in UConn’s achievement. The UConn women’s basketball team and Paige Bueckers have shown the potential of women’s sports is vast. As the revenue gap between men’s and women’s programs continues to shrink, the question isn’t whether women’s basketball can stand on its own—it’s how far it can go.

With talent like Bueckers leading the charge and fans filling arenas, the future looks brighter than ever. UConn has set the standard, and the rest of the sports world is watching, ready to turn the page.