After Record-Breaking 9.9 Million Viewers for NCAA, US Legend Allyson Felix Hopeful About Future of Women Sports

Amid the Reese-Clark controversy, LSU has fiercely clapped back at the Iowa Hawkeyes’ with their 102-85 win at the Championships on Monday. However, the victory’s significance goes beyond asserting their dominance over the opponents. A Forbes report claimed that the game grossed 9.92 million viewers on ESPN, climaxing at 12.6 million. Hence, it was marked as the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever. Similarly, Olympian track athlete, Allyson Felix rightly reflected on the series of events as a great moment for the entire women’s sports domain.

Talking to USA Today Sports, the legend revealed that she attended the ‘Final Four’ stage of the NCAA tournament and was humbled by the audience’s response. The venue, American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas was overwhelmed with electric energy by the fans, upholding signs and excitement. Hence, she publicly addressed the steady pace of women’s sports, particularly basketball, during a dedication ceremony. 

Allyson Felix speaks up on the growing popularity of women’s basketball

Even though the Women’s NBA was established in the 1990s, it still hasn’t been able to equal the popularity of the men’s division. However, changes are evidently, on their way in 2023, as the enthusiasm over women’s basketball, and women’s sports as a whole, increases. After the NCAA saga, fans are hooked on the event. As reported by the sources, the exhilaration didn’t go unnoticed by the 37-year-old former champion as she organized her thoughts minutely and shared them on a public podium. She insinuated, “I think it’s going to take time…but…”

“I think with women’s basketball, we saw it on the collegiate level, now we’ve got to get that energy on the professional side,” the 5’6” athlete added. Reportedly, she was honored at a dedication ceremony by the University of Southern California. The five-time Olympian visited the school’s track field with her family, which was being named in her honor. Hence, she addressed the state of women’s sports during her speech. 

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A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Felix has often voiced for the community’s upliftment in all spheres of life. However, taking a special interest in sports, she spotlighted the increasing admiration for women’s basketball, post the collegiate tournament. “We’ve got to transcend a lot of different sports. But I think there’s momentum there,” she disclosed. Further outlining her support for women’s rights, she once called attention to a persistent issue in the field. 

Allyson Felix addresses the harsh reality of women athletes and mothers

The California-native is regarded as one of the most decorated track and field athletes of all time. However, her career wasn’t estranged from the stereotypical prejudices. As she said during an interview with Today, “I think we haven’t supported women in the right way and it’s not that we are not capable but women have struggled as athletes and being mothers.”

Additionally, the mother-of-one acknowledged the positive changes reeling into the sports world, which nuanced a hopeful future of equal opportunities for women. Hence, Felix stated, “And I think as we are changing that and as we are supporting them holistically, we are able to see they can go so much further.”

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Undoubtedly, the NCAA championship game was a turning point in the history of women’s sports. On the bright side, the clash of star players, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark has changed the dynamics of the domain, deriving mighty attention from the sports world. Who were you rooting for at the championships? Tell us in the comments.