Recorded Name Recognition for Iowa Basketball Star Caitlin Clark Raises Women’s College Basketball Popularity

A recent survey has revealed that Iowa‘s standout basketball player, Caitlin Clark, has garnered unprecedented name recognition, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in college basketball, transcending genders. According to the 2024 Seton Hall Sports Poll, over 40% of Americans are familiar with Clark, a figure that rises to 58% among sports enthusiasts and 68% among avid sports fans.

When participants were presented with a list of male and female NCAA basketball players, Caitlin Clark emerged as the most recognized athlete, overshadowing her peers with more than double the recognition. Following closely behind was another female player, Paige Bueckers, with 18% name recognition among Americans.

Clark’s meteoric rise in recognition is attributed to her remarkable achievements on the court, from shattering all-time scoring records to drawing massive audiences to women’s basketball games, marking an indelible impact on the sport’s landscape.

As the NCAA men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments kick off, all eyes are on Caitlin Clark to drive viewership for the women’s tournament to unprecedented levels. The poll indicates that nearly two-thirds of sports fans believe women’s college basketball has never been more popular, with almost half of the general population and 74% of avid sports fans planning to tune into this year’s March Madness tournaments.

The chief methodologist of the Seton Hall Sports Poll, Daniel Ladik, expressed that Clark’s presence alone is set to elevate the March Madness brand this year, suggesting that viewer numbers for the Women’s tournament could surpass all previous records, attributing it to Caitlin Clark’s influential persona.

Conducted in collaboration with Seton Hall University‘s Stillman School of Business and YouGov, an international public opinion and data company, the survey polled over 1,500 U.S. adults from March 15-18, shedding light on the surging popularity of women’s college basketball ahead of the highly anticipated March Madness competitions.