
A recent AP-NORC poll indicates that approximately 3 in 10 U.S. adults follow women’s professional or collegiate sports at least somewhat closely. This reflects a growing interest in women’s athletics, although it remains lower than the engagement levels for men’s sports, which about half of U.S. adults follow closely.
Key Insights from the Poll:
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Gender Balance: The fan base for women’s sports is more gender-balanced compared to men’s sports, with nearly half of women’s sports fans being male.
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Casual Engagement: Fans of women’s sports tend to be more casual viewers, often drawn by individual athletes rather than team loyalty.
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Influence of Star Athletes: High-profile players like Caitlin Clark have significantly boosted interest in women’s basketball.
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League Expansion: The WNBA is expanding, with new teams like the Golden State Valkyries debuting this season and plans for additional teams in 2026.
While men’s sports still attract a larger audience, the increasing interest in women’s sports indicates a positive trend towards greater equity and representation in the sports industry.
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