NCAA’s Historic Vote Approves Financial Units for Women’s Basketball Tournament!

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NCAA Approves Women’s Basketball Tournament Financial Units in Historic Vote
This adjustment levels the playing field with the men’s competition and motivates institutions to further develop their sports programs.

Tracking meaningful reform within the NCAA often feels like chasing shadows, as change rarely ties back to a single event.

Yet, in the world of women’s basketball, a recent catalyst for significant change is easy to pinpoint. Sedona Prince, a former player for the Oregon Ducks and now with the TCU Horned Frogs, significantly influenced the narrative with her social media exposure during the 2021 NCAA women’s tournament, which was restricted by pandemic conditions.

Prince highlighted the stark differences in facilities offered to women athletes, particularly pointing out the inadequate weight room facilities in the San Antonio bubble. This discrepancy was glaring especially when compared to the men’s provisions at their concurrent tournament.

The outcry over this inequality was immediate and vehement. The NCAA committed to addressing these disparities and broader issues of gender equity in the sport by engaging with numerous leaders and commissioning an independent report that identified problems and proposed numerous solutions.

Some solutions were straightforward, like improving the weight rooms and ensuring equal swag bags for both men’s and women’s teams. More complex changes included rebranding the women’s tournament to also fall under the ‘March Madness’ label, which had previously been exclusive to the men’s tournament.

On a Wednesday afternoon in Nashville, a major recommendation from the report inspired by Prince’s advocacy came to fruition. The NCAA introduced financial incentives, or “units,” for teams that participate and perform well in the Division I women’s basketball tournament, mirroring the men’s tournament structure and encouraging deeper investment in women’s sports programs.

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“It was a landmark day. It was profound. There are many words we could use to describe it. For me, it was also deeply emotional because it represents the culmination of a long journey,” stated Lynn Holzman, NCAA vice president for women’s basketball. “Significant shifts often stem from pivotal moments. The pandemic and the championship in San Antonio marked such a moment. Even though efforts were already underway to enhance the sport, the visibility and scrutiny this event brought were unparalleled.”

“Four years later, we’re witnessing all the progress that has been achieved, and this was a critical aspect of the gender equity report that needed direct action. Our membership has now addressed this,” she added.

Teams will start earning these units based on their performance in this season’s tournament, culminating with the Final Four in Tampa during the first week of April. Starting in 2026, schools will begin receiving their share from a $15 million fund, distributed over the following three years.

The fund is projected to grow to $25 million by the 2027–28 season, thanks mainly to increased media rights revenue from the NCAA’s new contract with ESPN.

“This is a historic day for women’s sports, women’s basketball, and the NCAA,” declared NCAA president Charlie Baker. “Prioritizing investment in women’s sports has been a key focus, and today’s decision empowers our members to further support and promote female athletes. The potential for what they can achieve is unlimited.”

Many former women’s basketball players present acknowledged the significance of this milestone and reflected on the long road to this achievement.

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UC Santa Barbara athletic director Kelly Barsky, who introduced the proposal, shared how her experiences as a player at Keene State College shaped her perspective on collegiate sports. Baylor president and NCAA Board of Governors chair Linda Livingstone humorously referenced her own basketball career as she enthusiastically supported the motion, leading to its unanimous approval.

The room erupted in applause once the proposal was ratified.

“Discussions about creating a distribution fund for women’s basketball began around 25 years ago,” Holzman noted. “This is the kind of impact we believed it could have—encouraging continuous investment and elevation of the sport at campus and conference levels.”

The popularity of women’s college basketball has surged recently, with record-breaking viewership and increased sales in sponsorships and tickets, solidifying its status as a revenue-generating sport alongside men’s basketball and football. The attention from both the public and college administrators is set to propel the sport even further.

Wednesday’s decision marks a significant step forward, ignited by shedding light on an issue previously overlooked by many. The speed and magnitude of the change have surpassed many expectations.

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