Women’s sports take the spotlight at the 2025 Final Four in Tampa
Tampa became the center of women’s college basketball over the weekend as the city hosted the 2025 National Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Final Four.
Here are the sights and sounds you may have missed.
The Women’s Final Four brought some amazing basketball to Tampa, highlighting how much women’s sports are growing.
For the first time since 2019, thousands of fans – both locals and tourists – descended upon the Tampa Bay Area to show their support for the incredible female athletes on the court.
Sarah Ehrig is a basketball coach and studied health and physical education in college.
Ehrig said she went to the Final Four because women’s sports mean everything to her.
“I’m just so excited that women’s sports are growing, and it’s gaining the movement and the energy that it’s always deserved, and now we’re here,” Ehrig said.
Ehrig was wearing a shirt that said, “Everyone watches women’s sports,” as a rebuttal to people who say no one does.
“I mean, look at all these people showing up,” Ehrig said. “I mean, the open practice yesterday was practically sold out, so we’re here, and we’re ready.”
But the impact wasn’t limited to the games at Amalie Arena.
The NCAA hosted events throughout downtown Tampa to help inspire the next generation of female athletes.
One of the highlights was Tourney Town, a vibrant hub filled with games, contests and activities.
The event created unforgettable experiences for young fans eager to follow in the footsteps of their idols.
Alesia Hendley said she learned how to be “her own person” playing basketball when she was younger.
“I feel like every woman that always touched the court came out there uniquely as themselves, and they show that in their skills on the floor,” Hendley said.
Hendley said it’s important to support women’s sports because they need “the same type of credibility” as men’s sports.
Although women’s sports have grown over the last three to five years, Hendley said it still needs more money and support.
“We need the game to keep going,” Hendley said. “It’s always amazing to watch women’s sports. It’s inspiring.”
The excitement wasn’t just about who came out on top at the final Four — but watching Women’s basketball take the spotlight in front of thousands of passionate fans.
Credits:
Anchor: Ricardo Cuomo
Reporter: Tatyana Purifoy
Web Editor: Clara Rokita Garcia
Producer: Gracie Campbell
Camera: Sam Poulin
Audio: Karli Kibbee
Teleprompter: Clara Rokita Garcia
Editor: Paula Sanchez Ruiz and Luana Martins
Graduate Assistant: Grace Ficara
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Anderson