The Spirit, the Washington women's soccer team, has even noticed a significant increase in their fan base, and their attendance numbers bear that out.
WASHINGTON — There's no denying the recent surge in interest in women's sports. Some women's teams, such as the Washington Spirit women's soccer team, have seen increased numbers of fans in recent years.
Women in sports are finally getting the shine they deserve, and fans say they're happy to see them recognized.
“I came here today to support the women's sport of soccer,” said mother Twomey Harding, who brought her daughter to watch the game.
Some families brought young children, especially daughters, to Sunday's game against the Utah Royals.
“I just wanted them to see the female pros play,” said Taylor Martin, a father who takes his daughter to the game. She said, “She wants you to know that there's nothing a girl can't do.''
“We have season tickets,” said Jennifer Borders, one of the fans with her daughter. “And this is just an opportunity for us to spend time together. We have strong women.”
The team had a record attendance for its home opener last week with 11,734 fans.
Participating soccer player Paige Borders said, “I play soccer and I love my team.''
“I think this is really an entertainment piece, and I think people will want to come for this experience,” said Trinity Rodman, a forward for the Washington Spirit and the U.S. women's soccer team.
The Spirit moved to Audi Field full-time before last season. Their old home ground had a capacity of only 5,000 people and they really needed more seats, which meant there was an increased interest in the team.
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Twelve of the Spirit's regular season games drew crowds of more than 10,000 to Audi Field. Last season, the team averaged 11,000 fans per game.
“I love the idea that we can pursue this interest with her and that way we have a role model that we can look to and that she can rely on,” Jennifer Borders said.
“I was able to show her that she can improve on her past and definitely get what she wants in life,” said mother Ashley Dudley, who attended the game with her daughter. I'm very happy,” he said. She said, “She wants to turn professional and join the U.S. team someday.”
The fan base continues to grow.
“We're in the Baltimore area and we have a season pass this year, so we're going to every home game we can,” Dudley said.
“This environment is insane and has continued to grow since I've been here,” Rodman said. “So I'm very grateful. I'd like to congratulate you again on having so many supporters.”
Fans lined up after the game for a chance to talk to the players and get autographs.
“It's amazing. Obviously I was that girl once, too. It's great to be able to interact with them and have that human interaction,” Rodman said.
It's not just this team that is loved.
“We're definitely enjoying the Clark effect, the big uptick,” Martin said.
Records have been broken for women's basketball attendance and viewership in recent years.
NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament games reported a then-record 231,677 fans in attendance, an increase of more than 60,000 fans compared to 2023.
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Monday's second round of the NCAA Women's Tournament, between the No. 1 seed Hawkeyes and the No. 8 seed West, had the largest pre-Final 4 audience in the history of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on ESPN, with an average The number of viewers was 4.9 million. Virginia Mountaineers.
“I really like the idea of being able to focus on women's sports right now, and I feel like there's value in that,” Jennifer Borders said. “It’s nice to see yourself represented in that sporting field.”
“Women play such a huge role today and in our culture today,” Harding said. “I think we're all role models as mothers, as businesswomen, as athletes. It's so inspiring for her daughter to know that she can do anything and be anything.”
The momentum surrounding women's sports is expected to continue in Monday night's NCAA Tournament women's basketball game between LSU and Iowa.
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