Dawn Staley is coming off an undefeated season leading South Carolina and saw the end of Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking college career — and she thinks women’s basketball is just getting started.
“I think we’re at a point where… from where our game has been hampered until now, it’s bursting at the seams… I think it’s going to get better and better,” she told CNBC on Tuesday.
The Hall of Fame coach and former player led the Gamecocks to their third national championship and first perfect season in history, as they defeated Clark and Iowa State earlier this month.The match is broadcast live on ESPN, Is the most watched basketball game at all levels since 2019, according to Nielsen data.
On Tuesday, Staley and the Gamecocks took to the national stage again — this time to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate their national championship. The appearance is just another example of women’s sports reaching new heights this year, with basketball drawing record-breaking crowds, thanks in large part to Clark’s pursuit of a college basketball scoring record and South Carolina’s bid for an undefeated season. effort.
Clark Selected first overall in the Women’s National Basketball Association draft Indiana fever has boosted ticket prices across the U.S. with her arrival Monday night
Staley pointed to the Gamecocks as an example of why schools should invest in girls’ sports.
“I wish every school or university treated women’s sports the way South Carolina does,” she said. “They invested in my salary, they invested in the student-athletes … and here we are.”
Staley is the second-highest paid coach in women’s college basketball, earning $3.1 million per season and earning Prize money reportedly increased by $680,000 Following South Carolina’s championship win.
“I think it’s time (schools) see that when you put yourself into our game you get a return on your investment,” she said.
Staley also reflected on Clark’s impact on women’s basketball, not only by attracting new audiences to the sport, but also by appearing on “saturday night live”.
“Kaitlin Clark is a superstar. I believe she has raised the level and we need to thank her for that,” Staley said.
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