"We try our best to respect the game and showcase and display it in a fashion that might be a little bit more appetizing for a different group of people that are watching alongside the best play commentators on Earth."
ESPN’s coverage of the Final Four marked the most-viewed women’s national semifinals on record, garnering an average of 10.8 million viewers, which is up 138% year-over-year.
"Obviously Caitlin Clark is a very big reason for that – there’s just so much casual fan interest in her – but the viewership numbers, they don’t lie."
"We look forward to honoring the content that moved audiences in 2026 and continuing the Gracies’ long-standing investment in the people who will shape what comes next.”