The Rise of Women’s Basketball: Dawn Staley, Dawn Clark and South Carolina’s Historic Season Celebrated on National Stage

The highly anticipated basketball game between South Carolina and Clark, which took place earlier this month, was broadcast on ESPN and became the most-watched game at any level since 2019, according to Nielsen. This game was led by Hall of Fame coach and former player, Dawn Staley, who led the Gamecocks to their third national championship and first perfect season in their history.

Following their victory, Coach Staley and the Gamecocks visited the New York Stock Exchange to ring the opening bell and celebrate their success on a national stage. This appearance showcased the growing popularity and success of women’s sports, with basketball drawing record-breaking audiences this year. Dawn Clark’s pursuit of the college basketball scoring record and South Carolina’s bid for an undefeated season also contributed to the increased interest in women’s basketball.

Dawn Clark was chosen first in the Women’s National Basketball Association draft and joined the Indiana Fever, increasing ticket prices across the U.S. Coach Staley emphasized the importance of investing in women’s sports during her speech at the stock exchange, highlighting South Carolina as a model for schools and universities to follow. She pointed out that investing in salaries, student-athletes, and programs can lead to success on the court.

Coach Staley has a salary of $3.1 million per season as well as significant bonuses following South Carolina’s championship win. Her salary is second only to that of Geno Bryant among female coaches in women’s college basketball. She praised Dawn Clark for her impact on women’s basketball, recognizing her as a superstar who has raised the level of play and attracted new audiences through appearances on platforms like “Saturday Night Live.”