Megan Rapinoe praises ‘incredible’ women’s basketball after Monday’s Iowa-LSU game posted stunning 12.3m viewing figures: ‘I am not shocked… we are ALL better off because of you’

Megan Rapinoe took to Instagram Tuesday night to praise the “incredible” interest in the LSU-Iowa Elite Eight clash as it recorded a viewership of 12.3 MILLION, the most-watched women’s college basketball game of all time.

The Hawkeyes’ win over the Tigers was also the most-watched ESPN college basketball game, surpassing all MLB, NHL and MLS games last season.

Caitlin Clark, who scored 41 points to help Iowa return to its second straight Final Four, also had a larger audience than all but one of last season’s NBA games and every college football regular-season game. from last season, except one.

‘Dear women’s basketball: Personally, I’m not surprised. AND STILL, this is the most (amazing) thing to see,” Rapinoe said on Instagram. “We don’t deserve women’s basketball.”

‘Thanks to all of you; college players and W players and all of them past and present,” Rapinoe continued, also thanking her teammate and basketball legend Sue Bird. ‘We are ALL better off because of you. You all deserve this moment so deeply. With love, Megan.’

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese dazzled in a phenomenal display for women’s basketball

Clark is in the final stretch of her college career, as she declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft, and is likely to be selected number one overall by the Indiana Fever.

Reese has not stated her future intentions, but if she does not return to LSU, she will likely be a top 3 pick in the WNBA Draft.

Rapinoe is an American soccer legend who won two World Cups with the United States women’s national team.

The former Ballon d’Or retired from soccer last year after one last World Cup appearance and finishing the National Women’s Soccer League season with OL Reign.

Rapinoe’s post comes a few days after she criticized Korbin Albert, a current USWNT player, for an anti-LGBT post on TikTok.

Albert shared a new post on TikTok from a Christian worship space discussing how being gay and “feeling transgender” is wrong.

Rapinoe’s Instagram post thanking the basketball players for their efforts on Tuesday

Rapinoe posted a critical message on her Instagram Story in response that did not directly name Albert, but later confirmed to The Athletic that she was the intended recipient.

Rapinoe wrote: “To the people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs,’ I’d just ask one question: Are you making any moment in space safer, more inclusive, more complete, some semblance of the best, bringing out the best?” of each one? …because if you are not, the only thing you believe in is hate.

‘And children are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake up TF! Sincerely, #15.’

Albert, who currently wears Rapinoe’s old number 15 for the USWNT, later apologized on social media.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media,” Albert said. “Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive and hurtful was immature and disrespectful, which was never my intention.”

“I am truly disappointed in myself and I am deeply sorry for the harm I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended,” Albert continued.