The 7,264 fans that packed the Rec Hall stands for the women's basketball team's game with Iowa on Feb. 6 sent a powerful message. And not just to the Lady Hawkeyes.

The first sellout in Lady Lion history was televised nationally by espn2. And perhaps the dearth of empty seats awakened some advertisers to the fact that women's intercollegiate sports are finding a niche.

"These attendance figures make television people listen because it shows we are attracting a mass audience," said Mary Jo Haverbeck, associate sports information director. "You have to reach a very large audience."

For years, the only women's sports that have found any support on TV have been figure skating, golf and tennis. Now, however, networks are taking note of college sports -- especially basketball. Last year's NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game between Texas Tech and Ohio State garnered a 5.5 rating -- the highest of that weekend.

"We're sure the sport is enjoying the network exposure, especially for the regular season," said Lou D'Ermilio, associate director of information for CBS.

CBS televised three regular-season games this year as part of a contract with the NCAA, and will also show the Final Four and the championship game. In addition, the network showcases women's championship events in sports such as track, swimming and gymnastics.

For now, however, women's basketball is leading the way.

"The media has taken more of an interest -- which has been nice," CBS Broadcaster Ann Meyers said.

Of course, ratings for the regular-season games have been less than exceptional. For instance, the network's Jan. 29 game between Tennessee and DePaul garnered only a 1.3.

"The semifinals and finals ratings do better than hold their own," D'Ermilio said.

ESPN, meanwhile, televised 17 regular-season games on its main network and five more on espn2. ESPN Spokesman Curt Pires said the games averaged about a .4 rating. Men's games, on the other hand, averaged about a 1.5.

Last weekend, the network televised the four regional final games.

"ESPN did a good job with regional coverage, looking at highlights and analyzing what happened," Haverbeck said. But she added that women's basketball is still a "step-child" when compared to the overwhelming coverage of the men's game.

In order to increase the amount of coverage, Pires said, women's sports must first catch on at the regional level. That translates back into more attendance at sporting events.

"It's very difficult to increase the amount we already have on the air," Pires said. "The audience is very minimal."

"The more people that come to games, the more interest advertisers will have," Haverbeck added.

The nation's newest sports network, espn2, presents another option for advertisers. That network has been trumpeted as a haven for "alternative" sports, which could mean opportunities for women.

"Certainly, espn2 is an opportunity for other sports to get on the air," Pires said. "It's another alternative for a lot of things."