Recent reports from NBC reveal troubling viewership figures for the women’s basketball team at the Paris Olympics, highlighting a stark contrast to the popularity of other events.

The women’s basketball team garnered only 3 million views, a significant drop compared to the over 41 million views accumulated by other Olympic sports. This decline is attributed to a boycott driven by fan dissatisfaction over player selections, which has had a substantial impact on their audience numbers.

The disparity in viewership underscores a broader trend in Olympic sports. While the opening Sunday of the Paris Olympics attracted a remarkable 41.5 million views across various events, women’s basketball lagged far behind. In comparison, the US men’s basketball team enjoyed a viewership average of 10.9 million, emphasizing the higher engagement and popularity of men’s sports over women’s.

The viewership figures highlight a significant issue within the realm of women’s basketball. Recent data shows that women’s gymnastics and soccer have experienced robust interest, with gymnastics attracting 41.5 million views and soccer drawing an impressive 4.2 million views for a match against Germany.

This indicates a strong viewer preference for these sports compared to women’s basketball, which has seen a notable decline from over 11 million views 12 years ago to its current figures.

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The decline in viewership for women’s basketball is compounded by ongoing controversies, including debates over the participation of transgender athletes. These controversies have led to broader discussions about inclusivity and public opinion in sports. The backlash even led to the removal of the opening ceremony segment, reflecting the significant impact of public sentiment on event planning and viewer engagement.

Despite these challenges, overall viewership for the Olympics has seen a 24% increase, suggesting a potential for future growth in interest for women’s basketball. However, the WNBA’s inability to leverage this trend has faced criticism, pointing to a need for strategic improvements to boost engagement and capitalize on emerging opportunities in women’s sports.