The Rough and Tumble Pub, a bar specializing in women's sports, was packed Friday with fans watching the NCAA 2024 Women's Final Four.
SEATTLE — The Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament is bringing new viewers and fans to women's sports.
The Rough and Tumble Pub, a bar specializing in women's sports, was packed Friday with fans watching the NCAA 2024 Women's Final Four.
“Everyone goes into it when you go here. Everyone is rooting for you and feeling the same thing,” said Iowa Hawkeye fan Michael Nordell.
On Friday, women's basketball welcomed regular fans as well as new ones.
Molly Cowen, a University of Iowa fan, said, “I went to the game last year and was impressed with how they played, so I'm excited to be rooting for them in the final four this year.'' Told.
“Caitlin Clark made me a fan late in the game,” Sarah Love said.
Caitlin Clark is one of the star players who has skyrocketed interest in women's basketball.
A game Bailey Nettleton has been playing since she was five years old.
“She's one of a kind. She's a generational athlete and I feel like you don't get to see that every day. There's no other athlete like her performing like she does. Everyone gravitates towards her because she’s invisible,” said Bailey Nettleton, a high school basketball player at Tahoma High School.
The numbers back it up. Last week's game between Iowa and LSU drew a record attendance of 12.3 million.
For athletes like Brooke Deyack, it's a historic moment to see their sport receive the recognition it deserves.
“People don't really care about women's basketball, but we know how much we love women's basketball. We all know about women's basketball, but people haven't really respected it until now. , it takes a great player like Kaeltin Clark to show people that this is actually fun to watch,” said Deyack, a basketball player at Tahoma High School.
Players and fans hope this phenomenon continues.
“When your grandpa back home is watching Iowa State basketball, it means something is happening in women's college basketball,” Cowen said.
