**Angel Reese’s Controversial Claim: Are Little Girls Racist, or Is Women’s Basketball Facing a Viewership Crisis?**
The NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four has long been a stage for electrifying performances, fierce rivalries, and cultural conversations. However, the 2025 Final Four sparked a firestorm when LSU star Angel Reese made a bold accusation: she claimed that “little girls” were exhibiting racist behavior toward her, tying it to a reported 71% drop in viewership from 2023, a year headlined by Iowa’s Caitlin Clark. This statement has ignited debates about race, fandom, and the evolving landscape of women’s basketball. Let’s unpack the context, the numbers, and the broader implications of Reese’s remarks.
In 2023, the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game between LSU and Iowa, featuring Reese and Clark, drew a record-breaking 9.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s college basketball game in history. The matchup was a cultural phenomenon, fueled by the star power of Clark, the National Player of the Year, and Reese, the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Their on-court exchanges, including Reese’s now-infamous “you can’t see me” gesture toward Clark, became a flashpoint for discussions about race and double standards in sports. Reese, who is Black, faced significant backlash for her celebratory taunt, while Clark, who is white, had used the same gesture earlier in the tournament with little criticism. Reese herself called out this disparity, stating, “I don’t fit in the box that y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. But when other people do it, y’all say nothing.
Fast forward to 2025, and the absence of Caitlin Clark, who has since transitioned to the WNBA, coincided with a reported 71% drop in Final Four viewership. While exact numbers for 2025 are not fully verified, the decline suggests a significant shift in audience engagement. Reese’s accusation that “little girls” are racist appears to stem from her perception that her visibility and style of play are less embraced by young fans compared to Clark’s. This claim, however, is fraught with complexity. It raises questions about whether the viewership drop is tied to racial bias, the absence of a singular star like Clark, or broader trends in women’s basketball.
Reese’s assertion that young fans are racist is a serious charge that demands scrutiny. Children’s preferences in sports fandom are often shaped by media narratives, parental influence, and exposure to players who resonate with them. Clark’s meteoric rise was fueled by her record-breaking scoring, long-range shooting, and a media machine that positioned her as a generational talent. Her appeal transcended race for many, but it’s undeniable that media coverage can amplify certain athletes over others, sometimes along racial lines. Reese, known for her tenacious rebounding and unapologetic swagger, has faced criticism for her on-court demeanor, much of which carries racial undertones. In 2024, she spoke candidly about receiving death threats and being sexualized, saying, “I’ve been attacked so many times… I’m still a human.”[](https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/02/sport/angel-reese-lsu-ncaa-basketball-spt-intl/index.html)
The viewership drop cannot be attributed solely to race. Clark’s departure left a void in star power that no single player, including Reese, has fully filled. Women’s basketball has historically relied on transcendent figures—think Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, or Breanna Stewart—to drive viewership. The 2023 Final Four benefited from the Clark-Reese rivalry, which was amplified by their contrasting styles and the cultural weight of their interactions. Without Clark, and with Reese playing in a less-hyped context, the 2025 tournament may have struggled to capture the same casual audience.
Reese’s claim also risks oversimplifying a multifaceted issue. Accusing “little girls” of racism may alienate fans and detract from a broader conversation about how media, marketing, and cultural biases shape perceptions of Black female athletes. Studies have shown that Black women in sports are often judged more harshly for traits like confidence or aggression, which are celebrated in white or male athletes. Reese’s experience reflects this, but framing young fans as the problem may misdirect the focus from systemic issues in sports media and fan culture.[](https://theconversation.com/ncaa-basketball-championship-criticism-of-angel-reese-reveals-the-unfair-standards-imposed-on-black-women-in-sport-203238)
The 71% viewership drop is a wake-up call for the NCAA and women’s basketball stakeholders. It underscores the need to cultivate and promote a diverse array of stars, ensuring players like Reese are celebrated for their authenticity rather than vilified. Reese’s accusation, while provocative, highlights her frustration with a system that often seems to favor one narrative over another. Moving forward, the sport must address these disparities while building on the momentum of 2023 to keep fans—young and old—engaged.
In conclusion, Angel Reese’s claim about racist “little girls” is a symptom of deeper tensions in women’s basketball. The viewership decline reflects not just Clark’s absence but also the challenges of sustaining interest in a rapidly evolving sport. Reese’s voice is vital in calling out inequities, but the path forward lies in fostering inclusivity, amplifying diverse stories, and ensuring that all players can shine without fear of unfair judgmen
