The Women's Champions Classic, a new basketball tournament featuring top women's college teams, is set to take place on December 7th at the Barclays Center in New York. The event will be broadcast in primetime on Fox, showcasing the talent and skill of these student-athletes to a national audience.
The participating teams in the inaugural Women's Champions Classic include UConn, Iowa, Louisville, and Tennessee. The matchups for the doubleheader have not yet been determined. This tournament is part of Fox Sports' commitment to promoting women's athletics and aims to elevate the profile of women's basketball.
Jordan Bazant, Executive Vice President of Fox Sports, expressed his enthusiasm for the Women's Champions Classic, stating, 'We are eager to showcase these student-athletes at the highest level – in primetime on the Fox broadcast network.' Fox Sports has partnered with HS&E and the participating schools and conferences to bring this event to basketball fans across the nation.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma shared his excitement about the Women's Champions Classic, emphasizing the growing interest in women's basketball. Auriemma stated, 'There's never been a higher level of interest in women's basketball. The Champions Classic will give fans exciting, marquee matchups early in the season.'
The Women's Champions Classic is inspired by the successful men's version of the tournament, which has been held since 2011. The men's tournament features top teams like Duke, Michigan State, Kentucky, and Kansas, rotating venues each year. The location for future Women's Champions Classic events has not yet been determined.
David Levy, Co-CEO of Horizon Sports and Experiences, highlighted the increasing interest in women's sports and the significant role basketball plays in this growth. Levy stated, 'Interest in women's sports continues to experience exponential growth, and basketball is leading the way with viewership and attendance records continually being set.'
The Women's Champions Classic aims to capitalize on this momentum and provide fans with high-quality matchups early in the season. The tournament will take place in the basketball mecca of New York, adding to its significance.
As the inaugural Women's Champions Classic approaches, basketball enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the announcement of the matchups and look forward to witnessing the talent and competitiveness of these top women's college teams. The tournament promises to be a thrilling event that further elevates the profile of women's basketball and showcases the incredible skills of these student-athletes.
