2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic: Over 8,000 fans in attendance for this year’s Classic

Sunrise, Florida - The 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic took place today at the FLA Live Arena, featuring a doubleheader of exciting college basketball action. While the event saw a total attendance of just over 8,000 fans across both games, it’s clear that the energy in the building more than made up for any empty seats. Though the crowd didn’t reach the sell-out mark, those in attendance were vocal, engaged, and provided an electric atmosphere for the teams on the court.

A unique part of this showcase is the different fan bases who make their way from different states with passionate supporters showing up not just for the local teams, but for the overall experience of the event.  The afternoon was a great way for basketball fans in Broward County to get a look at four major Division 1 basketball schools all in one place - a venue that will only be hosting two basketball games all year. 

Despite the less-than-capacity turnout, the crowd’s enthusiasm was a testament to the growing popularity of the event in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area. In a market where basketball is constantly competing for attention against other major sports, the Orange Bowl Basketballl Classic stands out as a key fixture on the college hoops calendar.  The atmosphere inside the Amerant Bank Arena for this year’s showcase proved that the passion for basketball in South Florida remains strong and vibrant.

2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic: ESPN TV audience to get a double-header of basketball action

Sunrise, Florida - The 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is getting exceptional live television coverage, with both games broadcasted across the ESPN family of networks. This highly anticipated event is taking place at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, home of the NHL's Florida Panthers. As South Florida's premier one-day NCAA basketball showcase, the Orange Bowl Classic brings together four top-tier NCAA Division 1 programs for a thrilling afternoon of basketball action.

The event will feature two exciting matchups. The first game at 2:00 PM will saw the UCF Knights square off against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. The seven matchup which began at 4:30 PM has Florida State taking on Tulane in a showcase of four major Division 1 schools. Both games are broadcast live, with UCF vs. Tulsa available on ESPNU and Florida State vs. Tulane airing on the ACC Network, ensuring that basketball fans across the country can tune in and enjoy the high-level competition.

In addition to the traditional television broadcasts, the games will also be available for streaming on the ESPN App and ESPN.com. This offers fans the flexibility to watch live from virtually anywhere, as long as they have a subscription to the relevant ESPN networks. With the convenience of digital streaming and wide-reaching television coverage, the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic ensures that fans worldwide will stay connected to this exciting event.

With top-tier television broadcasts and widespread accessibility through digital streaming, the 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is set to captivate basketball fans across the ESPN audience. The event stands as a highlight of South Florida's sports calendar, offering a first-class showcase for basketball fans across the nation.

2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic: Showcase brings top-tier college basketball to Broward County for 2024 event

Sunrise, Florida - The 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is one of the most unique college basketball events of the season in South Florida, showcasing the region's growing prominence in the world of college basketball. Held annually as a part of the broader Orange Bowl festivities, this event brings together top-tier men’s college teams for an exciting day of basketball in Sunrise. While Miami has long been associated with football, the inclusion of basketball in the Orange Bowl series of events emphasizes the area's expanding role as a hub for collegiate sports. The game’s timing, right in the midst of the college basketball season, makes it an essential stop for teams aiming to build momentum ahead of their conference schedules.

For South Florida, the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is much more than just a one-off event. It has become a key fixture in the local sports calendar, drawing thousands of basketball fans and tourists to the region each December. With South Florida’s diverse population and growing sports culture, the event is an excellent opportunity for college programs to tap into new recruiting grounds. Broward County, in particular, benefits greatly from hosting the event, as it allows the region to showcase its world-class facilities, vibrant fanbase, and its status as a global sports destination. The Classic's appeal extends beyond just the teams involved - local businesses, hotels, and restaurants all thrive on the influx of visitors, making it an important economic driver for the region.

The Orange Bowl Basketball Classic also holds special significance when tied to the larger Orange Bowl football game. Traditionally, both events occur around the same time, creating a dynamic sports weekend that unites college football and basketball fans. This alignment not only boosts the profile of both events but also creates a shared experience that brings together supporters of different sports. The synergy between the football and basketball events enhances the overall Orange Bowl brand, making it a multi-sport celebration that South Florida can take pride in. For basketball, this connection with the iconic football game helps elevate its stature and visibility during a time when college sports fans are highly engaged.

As the 2024 edition of the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic nears an end with the second of two games, its growing significance for college basketball in South Florida cannot be overstated. The event offers an invaluable platform for teams to compete in front of a passionate and diverse crowd, while also serving as a critical piece in the broader celebration of college athletics in the region. By continuing to build on its success, the Classic is poised to further solidify South Florida’s place as a premier destination for college sports, while strengthening the ties between basketball and the storied legacy of the Orange Bowl football game.

Coverage of the 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic

SportsBizAmerica.com is excited to announce our coverage of the 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic.  We will be reporting on-site from the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, which is home to the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers.  

The game is a significant basketball game in South Florida as it is one of the only one-day NCAA showcase events in South Florida, and is the only basketball game being played at Amerant Bank Arena in 2024.  The game will feature four NCAA Division 1 basketball programs facing off in a one-day showcase: UCF will face Tulsa in the first game at 2:00, while Florida State will take on Tulane in the second of two games at 4:30.

Both games will be televised live, with UCF vs. Tulsa live on ESPNU, and Florida St. vs. Tulane will be live on the ACC Network.  Both games can also be streamed live on the ESPN App and ESPN.com with a TV subscription to each network.  

Check back on SportsBizAmerica.com for our coverage from Sunrise, Florida, marking the very first time we will be covering an event on-site from the venue since the site's launch in 2020.  Coverage will focus on all things sports business from the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, covering the off-court side of this unique NCAA showcase event.

2024: The Year of the WNBA

The 2024 WNBA season has officially gone down as the most successful in the league’s history, with record-breaking achievements across the board - from viewership and attendance to social media engagement and merchandise sales. With its 28th regular season now in the books, the WNBA is riding high on a season of growth, proving that women’s professional sports, and particularly the WNBA, are reaching new heights of mainstream appeal. 

When it comes to viewership, the 2024 season shattered previous records, attracting a total of 54 million unique viewers across ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ION, and NBA TV. The league saw 22 regular-season games averaging over 1 million viewers, a huge milestone for the WNBA. ESPN’s platforms experienced a 170% increase in viewership from the previous year, making it the most-watched season in WNBA history. CBS also saw a historic year, with a 86% jump in viewership, while NBA TV quadrupled its viewership compared to 2023. The 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game alone drew a record 3.4 million viewers, a 305% increase from last season. These numbers are proof of the WNBA’s growing appeal, particularly among national audiences who are tuning in like never before.

The surge in viewership was mirrored by a remarkable spike in attendance. With a total of 2.35 million fans filling arenas, the WNBA posted its highest attendance figures in 22 years, marking a 48% increase from the previous season. The league’s 154 sellouts were a massive leap from last year’s 45, highlighting the rising demand for live women’s basketball. A few standout games like the September 19 matchup between the Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics, which set a new single-game attendance record with 20,711 fans, demonstrate the WNBA’s potential to fill large venues. Indiana was a leader in attendance, setting a new team record for home crowds with 340,715 fans over the season. The Fever’s impressive growth of +319% exemplifies the overall surge in fan support across all 12 teams.

On the digital side, the WNBA’s social media engagement went through the roof in 2024. The league generated nearly 2 billion video views across its platforms, marking an amazing 400% increase over last season’s total. The WNBA App saw a 252% jump in monthly active users, while subscriptions to WNBA League Pass, the out-of-market live game package, skyrocketed by 366%. Merchandise sales also experienced a huge uptick, with online and in-store sales spiking by 601%. Even retail giants like Dick's Sporting Goods reported a 233% increase in sales compared to 2023. This surge in engagement, both on and off the court, signals that the WNBA is tapping into an increasingly engaged fanbase that’s eager to connect with the league and its players.

In addition to a strong domestic presence, the WNBA continues to expand its international footprint. With 34 international players on opening night rosters and new broadcast deals across key global markets - including the UK, Taiwan, China, Brazil, and the Philippines - the league is solidifying its status as a global sports entity. Canada, in particular, has been a key area of growth, with WNBA regular-season viewership up 148% year-over-year. The second annual WNBA Canada Game, held in Edmonton, sold out for the second straight year, and viewership in Canada for this event increased by 65%. The league’s global expansion will continue with the addition of a Toronto franchise set to debut in 2026, further cementing the WNBA’s international ambitions.

From a business perspective, the 2024 season confirms that the WNBA is on the rise.  It is drawing more viewers, fans, and revenue than ever before. With its increasingly engaged fanbase, both domestically and globally, and its ability to consistently set records in multiple areas, the league is positioned for sustained success in the years to come. The growth of the WNBA is not just a one-time event, it’s a signal that women’s sports are here to stay and will only continue to thrive as they receive the attention and investment they deserve. With record-breaking performances on the court and record-breaking metrics off it, the 2024 season will go down as a defining moment in the history of the WNBA.

NHL Frenzy brings all 32 teams in action Tuesday, airing across ESPN platforms

This Tuesday night, hockey fans are in for a treat with with a league-wide television event billed as "NHL Frozen Frenzy".  NHL Frenzy showcases all 32 teams in action. ESPN's exclusive tripleheader kicks off with the Capitals and Flyers at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the Avalanche and Kraken at 8:30 p.m. and the Kings taking on the Golden Knights at 11 p.m. ET. 

With every team on the ice, the NHL Frozen Frenzy will be highlighted by a live whip-around look-in studio show hosted by John Buccigross and analysts Kevin Weekes and P.K. Subban. This show, airing from 7-8 p.m. on ESPN+, will showcase the best moments of the night, leading into a combined five hours of non-stop NHL coverage from 8 p.m. to midnight on both ESPN2 and ESPN+.

For those wanting even more action, an additional 13 Tuesday night Frozen Frenzy games will be available on NHL Power Play via ESPN+, with 15-minute staggered start times giving fans continuous hockey throughout the evening.  Come 7 p.m. ET, the NHL Frozen Frenzy Live Whip-Around Studio Show kicks off, providing fans with real-time updates, highlights, and analysis from around the league. 

ESPN+ subscribers that also subscribe to Hulu can watch using the Hulu app, however only games airing on ESPN+ will appear on your Hulu home screen.  

From the league's standpoint, the goal is clear - entertain current fans, and activate new ones through an action-packed block of games.  Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, ESPN's coverage during NHL Frenzy has been crafted to keep hockey fans entertained throughout a night packed with non-stop NHL content.

UFL on Fox average ratings at nearly one million viewers in league's first season

 By Zachary Baru

We have reached the midpoint of the United Football League's first season, and so far the league has averaged 946,000 viewers per game on Fox according to Nielson Media Research.  

Games through Week 5 have been up 29% compared to games through Week 5 in the 2023 season, which had two separate leagues, the XFL and the United States Football League.  Games through Week 5 in 2023 only averaged 731,000 viewers per game on Fox, showing a significant growth in the league's viewership on Fox as compared to last season.

Although these ratings are great signs for the league and for Fox as well, the reality of increased sports betting throughout the nation in recent years should also be noted.  Since a 2018 Supreme Court ruling, 38 states and the District of Columbia now allow some form of sports betting.

In addition to Fox, the UFL this season has games airing on FS1, ESPN, ABC and SiriusXM.  Games on Sirius XM are using two different channels, Fox Sports on SiriusXM and ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM.  The season concludes in June with two Conference Championships, one on ABC and the other on Fox.  Both will also be on SiriusXM satellite radio.  The season ultimately wraps up with the first-ever UFL Championship, airing Sunday, June 16 on Fox and SiriusXM.  The championship will be played in St. Louis at the Dome at America's Center.

The most viewed game on Fox this year topped 1 million viewers, as the Michigan Panthers vs. St. Louis Battlehawks had 1,349,000 viewers on March 30.  St. Louis also leads the league in attendance this season, averaging 35,014 fans per game through three home games according to OutKick.

The top ten markets through Week 5 on Fox may surprise some, with Birmingham leading the way.  St. Louis is next, followed by New Orleans, Detroit, Tulsa, Kansas City, Memphis, Louisville, San Antonio and Columbus, consecutively.  Not all markets have teams in the UFL, as Kansas City, Columbus and New Orleans does not have UFL franchises.  

With average viewership on Fox nearly reaching 1 million, the league should feel upbeat about the response to spring football in just the merged-league's first season as the United Football League.  The increase in sport betting should be factored in, but the fact remains people are still watching the games, regardless of the reason.  For a spring football league, and one just in its infancy, the UFL should be proud of what is has accomplished on television in its first year after the merger.

UFL Franchises:

Birmingham Stallions, Protective Stadium

Houston Roughnecks, Rice Stadium

Memphis Showboats, Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium

Michigan Panthers, Ford Field

Arlington Renegades, Choctow Stadium

D.C. Defenders, Audi Field

San Antonio Brahmas, Alamodome

St. Louis Battlehawks, The Dome at America's Center

Source: Fox Sports, Nielson Media Research, OutKick, Forbes

Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.  Zach also writes SportsBusinessBoston.com and WesternMassSportsBiz.com.