COLUMBUS, Ohio — After losing key players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, some question whether women’s college basketball is still as popular this year.
Caitlyn Votino is a server at Stone Bar and Kitchen in Columbus, where she said this time of year is extremely busy for them, especially because of the women’s college basketball tournament.
“We get busier now, especially during like our happy hour times. People will be coming in to watch the games way more. And the women’s basketball as well,” Votino said.
Votino has been working at Stone Bar and Kitchen for the last two years and said customers request women’s games more than ever.
“All of our TVs are customizable for each TV. You can change the channel, and during this time of year, we always, if we don’t already have on the games, people will ask for us to turn them on,” said Votino.
What many are calling the “Caitlin Clark Effect,” is what shined a brighter spotlight on women’s college basketball. Nicole Kraft, with the Ohio State Sports and Society Initiative, said women’s basketball popularity isn’t stopping just because Clark moved on to the WNBA.
“The evidence is showing that the passion for women’s sports has only increased. And women’s basketball specifically,” said Kraft.
In fact, Kraft said the popularity for women’s college basketball has grown even more.
“There was a 41% increase in people who were watching women’s sports in during Caitlin Clark. And that’s only gone up this year by another 3%. We know that advertising rates for this year’s NCAA tournament have doubled from what they were previously. So we’re at 440,000 per ad and those ads are sold out,” said Kraft.
As far as the customers at Stone Bar and Kitchen supporting women’s college basketball, Votino said even coaches come to their bar to watch the game.
“We have one women’s basketball coach who does come into and sits at our bar all the time,” said Votino.
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