Dave Portnoy Blames ‘Race Baiters’ for NCAA Women’s Viewership Drop After Caitlin Clark’s Absence

Dave Portnoy Slams Caitlin Clark Critics After NCAA Title Game Viewership Drops
By Eric Blum | Updated: 03:54 BST, 8 April 2025

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has fired back at critics who claim Caitlin Clark’s historic college basketball popularity stems solely from her race, pointing to plummeting NCAA women’s championship viewership without her.

Last year’s title game, featuring Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes against South Carolina, drew a record 18.9 million viewers—the highest in women’s basketball history. In stark contrast, Sunday’s 2025 championship between South Carolina and UConn (led by Paige Bueckers) attracted just 8.5 million viewers. Portnoy seized on the numbers to challenge narratives downplaying Clark’s impact.

“I’ll need the race baiters who say Caitlin’s popularity is ‘because she’s white’ to explain why 10 million fewer watched Paige Bueckers—also white—this year,” Portnoy tweeted.

Clark’s 2024 title game drew record viewership.

Clark, who recently wrapped her Iowa career, dominated the four most-watched women’s games ever during her junior and senior seasons. Bueckers, the 2020 top high school recruit (Clark was No. 4), led UConn to this year’s final but couldn’t replicate Clark’s cultural resonance.

Bueckers’ 2025 final saw a steep drop in viewers.

Portnoy has repeatedly defended Clark amid controversies, from debates about her stardom to her WNBA transition. His latest remarks highlight a broader debate about race and recognition in women’s sports. While Clark’s record-breaking scoring and charismatic playstyle fueled unprecedented interest, critics argue systemic biases overshadow Black athletes like Angel Reese or Kamilla Cardoso.

Yet the numbers speak volumes: Clark’s games consistently shattered records, including regular-season matchups and her 41-point Final Four performance in 2024. Even in defeat, her finals drew nearly triple this year’s audience.

Portnoy has vocally supported Clark throughout her career.

Bueckers, now WNBA-bound as the likely No. 1 draft pick, faces pressure to sustain momentum in a league eager to capitalize on Clark-driven growth. Meanwhile, Clark—the 2024 No. 1 pick—prepares for her second pro season after a rookie year marked by sold-out arenas and soaring merchandise sales.

While Clark’s NCAA title eluded her, her legacy is cemented as a transformative figure. As Portnoy’s defense underscores, her impact transcends simplistic narratives—a reality reflected in the stark viewership divide.

Key Stats:

• 2024 Final (Clark): 18.9M viewers
• 2025 Final (Bueckers): 8.5M viewers
• Clark holds records for 4 most-watched women’s games ever.

Share or comment on this article: Dave Portnoy slams Caitlin Clark "race baiters" after women’s NCAA viewership tanks without her.

(Word count: 398. Remaining space can be allocated to expand quotes or context if needed.)