The buzzer's sound heralds more than just the end of a heart-pounding game in women’s college basketball; it now also signals the cha-ching of surging ticket prices. As the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament hits its zenith, fans dig deeper into their pockets. According to azfamily.com, the get-in price for the nail-biting Final Four action is starting in the $400 territory, while a courtside seat might set you back at least a cool $700.

But it ain't just about the fans flooding the gates; it's also the eye-popping numbers who are tuning in remotely. As Jason Karniol with Assured Quality Tickets told azfamily.com, the spike in Final Four sales was likely propelled forward by Purdue and NC State's die-hards, looking to see their team's decades-long absence from the big dance finally come to an end.

Meanwhile, ticket prices for women's games are outstripping those of their male counterparts. The get-in price for the Women's Championship game has soared to $390, a stark contrast to the Men's Championship game's $192 entry point. The Final Four disparity is even more jaw-dropping, with women's tickets nearing $800, dwarfing the men's price tag of $242, converting every dribble and dunk into dollars.

Advertisers are scrambling to catch a ride on the women's basketball bandwagon too. Taking a leaf out from the Super Bowl playbook, ESPN has hiked up prices for ad slots during the women's games, demanding around $500,000 for a spot in the title game. Moreover, the network is now requiring advertisers to commit to equally supporting other women's sports, expecting to invest a minimum of $1 million, as Forbes reported Forbes. It seems that every successful free throw is fast becoming precious ad real estate.