1. Women’s NCAA tournament viewership dropped 22% from 2024 to 2025. 2. However, viewership increased 43% from 2023, indicating long-term growth. 3. Capital One (COF) increased ad spending 30x for the women's tournament in 2024. 4. Digital ad spend for both tournaments was up 80% this year. 5. The women’s tournament saw 112 sponsors, 45 more than last year.
Capital One's significant advertising investment suggests strong confidence in the women's tournament's growth, similar to prior successful marketing pushes during league expansions. Historical marketing efforts have driven stock prices higher, particularly during periods of increased visibility and engagement, which this article highlights.
The article showcases an upward trend in female sports viewership and capital investment in advertising by COF, which indicates growing recognition and potential profitability. This investment aligns with COF’s market strategies and suggests a long-term positive trajectory.
The sustained advertising growth and increasing viewer engagement indicate a strong future for women's sports, which could positively affect long-term stock performance as sponsorships and viewership rise. This mirrors how the NBA saw long-term growth following humorous down years amid star transitions.