Who’s Watching? Millions. 📺

Did someone share this email with you? Get daily women’s basketball updates straight to your inbox. Sign up here!

What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today

1. Elite Eight Delivers Huge Ratings Once Again 📈

The Elite Eight pulled in serious viewership numbers this year—becoming the second most-watched round in NCAA Women’s Tournament history. ESPN reports that the four matchups averaged 2.9 million viewers, falling only behind last year’s all-time record. (ESPN PR)

WHY IT MATTERS: Viewership for this year’s Elite Eight was down 53% from last year’s record-setting numbers, a drop largely tied to the absence of headline-makers like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

But there’s a bigger story here: this year still ranks as the most-watched Elite Eight round outside of 2024, proving that fan interest in the women’s game remains strong. While the sport’s biggest stars may drive peaks, the foundation for long-term growth is clearly being built.

2. West Tops East in the McDonald’s All American Game 🌴

The West squad came out strong and never looked back, cruising to a 104–82 win over the East in Tuesday night’s McDonald’s All American Girls Game at Barclays Center. UCLA-bound senior Sienna Betts earned MVP honors after putting up 16 points and 7 rebounds. (Sports Illustrated)

WHY IT MATTERS: The McDonald’s All American Game is a national high school spotlight for future college stars. Sienna Betts, the younger sister of UCLA All-American Lauren Betts, will join her big sister in Westwood next season, giving the Bruins one of the most exciting sister duos.

Also on the floor: No. 1 recruit Aaliyah Chavez, who opened the game with a smooth three. She’s headed to Oklahoma, where her arrival could have a Caitlin Clark-level impact on the program’s national ceiling. Chavez also won the girls 3-point contest the night before.

3. Caitlin Clark Rookie Card Sells for Record-Breaking $366K 💰

It’s good to be a one-of-one. The 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Signatures Gold Vinyl Prizm #SG-CC Caitlin Clark Signed Rookie Card sold for $366,000 at auction this past weekend—the highest-ever sale for a women’s sports trading card. The previous record was $266,400 for a Serena Williams card. (Yahoo Sports)

WHY IT MATTERS: The sports card boom that reignited during the pandemic is still going strong—and Caitlin Clark is leading the charge for women’s basketball. Her cards are now seen as premium collectibles by serious investors and hobbyists alike. Another Clark one-of-one card sold for $234,850 in December, and WNBA trading card communities continue to grow alongside her popularity.