UConn-Iowa, Tennessee-Louisville doubleheader slated for Women's Champions Classic in December
The UConn, Tennessee, Iowa and Louisville women's basketball teams once again will compete against one another in an early-season doubleheader at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.
Fox Sports, in conjunction with Horizon Sports & Experiences, will air 'The Shark Beauty Women's Champions Classic' on Dec. 20, which is two weeks later than last year's classic. This year, Iowa meets UConn in a 2024 Final Four rematch, while Tennessee faces Louisville. The event also is renewed for 2026.
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The inaugural classic featured Iowa-Tennessee and Louisville-UConn, and the teams received $100,000 to participate, according to an open-records request. Despite competing against the SEC, Big Ten and ACC championship football games on other networks, the event peaked at 800,000 viewers on Fox and with more than 11,000 fans in attendance.
'We are thrilled to advance Fox Sports' longstanding investment in women's sports with the continuation of the Shark Beauty Women's Champions Classic,' Fox Sports executive vice president Jordan Bazant said. 'We are proud to shine a spotlight on the women's game on television's biggest platform, and following the success of the inaugural event, we can't wait to welcome these storied programs back to Brooklyn in December.'
The event involves four of the sport's most iconic brands. UConn has won a record 11 NCAA titles and appeared in 23 Final Fours. Tennessee has the most victories in women's basketball history, eight national titles and 18 Final Four appearances. Iowa played for the NCAA championship in 2023 and 2024 and has sold out its arena in consecutive years. Louisville has appeared in four Final Fours with two title-game appearances.
All four teams either are ranked or are receiving votes in the latest Associated Press poll.
UConn's Geno Auriemma: 'The inaugural Shark Beauty Women's Champions Classic was everything I hoped it would be when we first came up with the idea. It was a great showcase for women's basketball and was well run from top to bottom. We're thrilled to return to Barclays Center next season. I can't wait to see how the event evolves as we continue it for the foreseeable future.'
Iowa's Jan Jensen: 'I am beyond excited and proud to once again be part of the Shark Beauty Women's Champions Classic. This is a premier event showcasing some of the best women's basketball programs in the country. It is a first-class experience that gives our players an early season NCAA Tournament feel. I am also looking forward to seeing our great Hawkeye fans show out in New York!'
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Louisville's Jeff Walz: 'We are thrilled to be a part of the Shark Beauty Women's Champions Classic once again this upcoming season. I thought the event was extremely successful this past year and it was a great opportunity for our team to play in New York City. We look forward to next season's event as it will be a marquee matchup in our non-conference schedule.'
Tennessee's Kim Caldwell: 'After representing the University of Tennessee at the 2024 Shark Beauty Women's Champions Classic, our program already is anticipating a return trip to New York City in 2025. We are proud to be part of the field again and hope Lady Vol fans will plan a trip to the Big Apple and join us at the Barclays Center for an event that shines a bright spotlight on women's basketball.'
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