NEWS
The NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Outrates Men’s For First Time
For the first time in 42 years, the NCAA women’s basketball final had more viewers than the men’s.
The women’s national championship game between South Carolina and Iowa drew 18.9 million viewers, with a peak of 24.1 million in the last 15 minutes, according to Nielsen. It was the most viewed women’s collegiate basketball game in history, with the previous year’s 9.9 million viewers more than doubled.
About The NCAA Women’s Basketball Final
On Monday, the University of Connecticut’s victory over Purdue in the men’s final drew 14.8 million viewers, Nielsen said. That was up a smidge from the 14.7 million who watched last year’s men’s championship game, but fell 4 million viewers short of the women’s final.
The biggest reason why the women ncaa basketball final outrated the men this year: Iowa sensation Caitlin Clark, who scored 30 points in the Hawkeyes’ 87-75 defeat by the undefeated Gamecocks.
Clark captivated fans all year, setting records on the court and driving the women’s game to viewership records throughout the regular season and the March Madness tournament. Clark finished the 2023-2024 season as the highest scoring collegiate basketball player in history, outpacing Louisiana State sensation (and future NBA legend and Hall of Famer) Pete Maravich, who had set the previous record in 1970.
Clark had been playing with a chip on her shoulder all season after her Hawkeyes lost in the finals the previous year to LSU — a team she and Iowa vanquished earlier in the tournament. She is widely expected to be the top pick in the WNBA draft next week.
Nielsen’s numbers include an estimate of the number of people who watched outside their homes, which wasn’t measured before 2020. Due to cord-cutting, the in-home audience has steadily declined annually.
The audience for the national title game was up 90% over last year when Clark and Iowa fell to LSU. That also was the first time since 1995 that the championship was on network television. The audience was 289% bigger than the viewership for the Gamecocks’ title two years ago when they beat UConn on ESPN.
To put the women’s championship game viewership in perspective, it outrated every 2023 World Series game and every NBA finals game from last year, according to Nielsen.
The success of this year womens ncaa basketball tournament led to many hot takes in sports media about women’s sports finally reaching equal status with men’s. But Clark’s exit from the college game and likely rookie season on the dreadful Indiana Fever — which has the first pick in the WNBA draft — will put those theories to the test later this year.
The WNBA remains financially miniscule, bringing in a reported $200 million in revenue — compared to the NBA’s more than $10 billion. ESPN’s SportsCenter provided 91 seconds of coverage for the average WNBA game, compared to 266 seconds for the average NBA game, according to Nielsen. The WNBA Finals last year averaged just 728,000 viewers a game.
Still, the league is growing, and a celebrity with nationwide name recognition and star power could work to change the WNBA’s fortunes. So far, even before Clark has been drafted, the buzz is boosting ticket sales.
Ticket reseller TickPick said WNBA ticket sales for next season are up 222% from this point last year, and Fever tickets have already outpaced last year’s total by 86%. And Fever home games are setting back fans $81 a ticket — up from just $45 for last season.
I had not seen it much (NCAA Womens Basketball) before this year. I didn’t make it to the television. This year, it was appointed television,” said former CBS Sports president Neal Pilson, who now runs his own sports television consulting company. “That’s what happens when you see those numbers. There were a lot of people making notes to sit down and watch the games.”
Away games won’t get you any help — an opportunity to watch Caitlin Clark play in a rival city costs $108 on average, TickPick said, up 151% from last year’s $43 average ticket price to watch the Fever play an away game.
Oh, yeah, and in the men’s college basketball final Monday, the Huskies won their second-straight championship, beating the Boilermakers, who were in their first final since 1969. Whatever.
Elections
Mojtaba Khamenei Iran’s Likely Next Supreme Leader
Reading Time: 2 minutesIran’s Preeminent Chief, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is supposedly unwell, starting conversations about who will succeed him. At 85 years of age, Khamenei is said to have chosen to step down, picking his child, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the following Incomparable Pioneer. This advancement has caused critical discussion and hypothesis inside Iran and all over the planet.
On September 26, 2024, a gathering of the Get together of Specialists, a 60-part body liable for choosing Iran’s Preeminent Chief, was met at Khamenei’s solicitation. During the meeting, the gathering was approached to go with a secret and quick choice in regards to the initiative change. Reports propose that Mojtaba was collectively picked as the replacement. Notwithstanding, a few individuals communicated disappointment with the choice and the cycle, charging they were compelled into understanding, with cases of pressure and even dangers.
Mojtaba Khamenei was brought into the world in 1969 in Mashhad and is the second child of Ayatollah Khamenei. He concentrated on religious philosophy under his dad and other persuasive pastors and in the long run turned into an educator at the Qom theological college, where he keeps on instructing today. Mojtaba is hitched to Zahra Haddad-Adel, and several has three kids. His connections to the strict and political first class in Iran make him an eminent figure in the country’s initiative scene.
Throughout the long term, Mojtaba has confronted analysis and debate for his political inclusion. He assumed a significant part in supporting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during the official decisions in 2005 and 2009. After Ahmadinejad’s triumph in 2009, far and wide fights emitted, and Mojtaba was supposedly associated with driving endeavors to smother these exhibits. Notwithstanding, his relationship with Ahmadinejad later decayed when the previous president blamed Mojtaba for stealing state reserves, which spoiled his picture.
While Mojtaba’s choice as the following Preeminent Pioneer appears to line up with his dad’s desires, it has not been without challenges. The Gathering of Specialists, however to a great extent stately, is supposed to assume a part in endorsing authority changes. Reports demonstrate disagree among individuals about Mojtaba’s reasonableness for the position, raising worries about his capacity to lead Iran actually and join its different groups. Pundits likewise question whether his impact and assets, supposedly significant, are adequate to guarantee a smooth progress.
Mojtaba’s potential authority brings blended responses. Allies contend that he offers progression and offers his dad’s vision for Iran. Pundits, notwithstanding, dread that his questionable history and absence of more extensive political experience could extend existing divisions inside the country’s political foundation. Some additionally stress over the authenticity of his arrangement, given the mystery and strain encompassing the choice cycle.
As Iran gets ready for a potential initiative change, the world watches intently. The choice to name Mojtaba as Preeminent Pioneer could have extensive results, molding Iran’s homegrown and worldwide arrangements for quite a long time into the future. While the change stays questionable, it is without a doubt a critical crossroads in the nation’s set of experiences.
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Reading Time: 3 minutes
NEWS
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Hints and Solutions Revealed
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe New York Times Mini Crossword offers a fun, quick, and accessible daily puzzle, ideal for busy individuals or anyone needing a short mental break. On October 31, the Mini Crossword provides a playful set of clues that vary in difficulty, allowing it to be solved in just a few minutes. Known for being a smaller, quicker alternative to the full NYT Crossword, the Mini has gained popularity among both seasoned puzzlers and newcomers looking for a manageable challenge.
The October 31st puzzle brings a hint of Halloween spirit with clues that subtly nod to the holiday. Clues like “Halloween costume with a cardboard box and aluminum foil” add a seasonal flair, making the puzzle more engaging for solvers. For those who enjoy puzzles but lack the time for a full NYT Crossword, the Mini offers the perfect alternative. This bite-sized puzzle can often be completed in under five minutes, making it ideal for a short break in a busy day.
The Mini Crossword was created to offer a more approachable crossword experience. While the full NYT Crossword Puzzle may require broad knowledge and be time-consuming, the Mini is designed to be simpler and more accessible. With straightforward vocabulary and familiar clues, many people can solve the Mini without needing to look up answers. Available daily online and free to play, it provides non-subscribers a taste of the NYT’s famous puzzle section. For those who enjoy the Mini and want more challenges, a subscription to the New York Times Games section gives access to archived Mini Crosswords, plus other popular games like Wordle and Spelling Bee.
The first clue in today’s Mini Crossword, “Hybrid equine animal with stripes,” leads to the answer “ZORSE,” a cross between a zebra and a horse. This type of unique term is a staple of the Mini Crossword, bringing a touch of trivia that puzzle fans enjoy. Another clue, “Fingers crossed!” with the answer “IHOPE,” reflects the Mini’s light-hearted style, making it approachable and fun for all solvers. Unlike the full NYT Crossword, which may include more formal and challenging clues, the Mini has a casual tone that appeals to a broad audience.
The down clues in today’s puzzle also capture the Mini’s playful essence. “Zippo, nada, nothin’” has the answer “ZILCH,” a colloquial term for nothing. This sort of everyday language is common in crosswords, providing moments of recognition and relatability. Another down clue, “Catherine of ‘Beetlejuice,’” answers “OHARA,” a nod to actress Catherine O’Hara and a favorite for Halloween fans. Pop culture references like these make the Mini Crossword feel both current and nostalgic, resonating with solvers who enjoy little cultural nods.
The Mini Crossword is just one of the many games available in the New York Times Games section, which also features Wordle, Spelling Bee, and Sudoku. While the Mini Crossword is relatively easy, other games in the section offer adjustable difficulty levels, allowing players to pick something that fits their mood or skill level. The variety has made the Times’ Games section a popular online destination for people looking to relax and engage their minds.
Crosswords, even small ones like the Mini, provide cognitive benefits. Research suggests that regular puzzle-solving can improve memory, expand vocabulary, and stimulate the brain in ways that may help to prevent cognitive decline. Completing a daily Mini Crossword offers a quick mental workout without the large time commitment of a bigger puzzle. This makes the Mini an appealing addition to daily routines, providing a manageable yet challenging activity that exercises the brain in meaningful ways.
Solving today’s Mini Crossword brings a sense of satisfaction familiar to any crossword lover. Filling in each answer and watching the grid fill up is a small but rewarding accomplishment. Unlike the full-sized NYT Crossword, which can take a dedicated hour or more to finish, the Mini is designed for completion in just a few minutes, creating a satisfying moment in the day. This makes the Mini ideal for busy people, students, and anyone who enjoys the sense of satisfaction that comes with solving a puzzle but may not have time for a long session.
The NYT Mini Crossword’s short length and approachable difficulty make it popular with a wide range of players, from avid crossword enthusiasts to people who are new to puzzles. Each puzzle provides an opportunity to think outside the box, learn new words, and discover interesting trivia. Today’s October 31 puzzle includes a few Halloween-themed clues but is ultimately designed to appeal to diverse interests and backgrounds, making it a puzzle that anyone can enjoy.
Today’s puzzle, like all Mini Crosswords, highlights how enjoyable it is to solve a well-crafted, accessible puzzle. Though small, the Mini Crossword has developed a loyal following among those who love crosswords, word games, and anyone who enjoys a brief but engaging mental challenge. Whether you’re a long-time puzzle solver or a newcomer, the Mini Crossword is a daily treat that brings the fun of puzzle-solving to anyone with a few minutes to spare.
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