Nashville, Tennessee – In a groundbreaking move for women’s sports, the NCAA has decided to pay Division I women’s basketball teams for their participation in the March Madness tournament starting this year. This decision was made during a recent convention, where a unanimous vote was received with great enthusiasm.
Until now, men’s basketball teams have benefited from revenue-sharing plans for many years. However, with the rising popularity of women’s basketball, the NCAA’s Board of Governors agreed on this new plan. Following an initial proposal in August, the recent vote finalized the terms.
Beginning in the 2025 season, a total of $15 million will be distributed among women’s teams, which represents 26% of the media revenue from women’s basketball. This amount is set to rise to $20 million for the following fiscal year and will further increase to $25 million by 2027-2028. Schools will start receiving these performance units in 2026 on a rolling three-year basis, rewarding conferences based on how far their teams progress in the tournament. For instance, a team that reaches the Final Four could potentially earn its conference $1.26 million over a three-year span.
NCAA President Charlie Baker celebrated this move as historic for women’s sports, stating, “This is a historic day for women’s sports, women’s basketball and the NCAA. We have made investing in women’s sports a priority.” He expressed excitement about the opportunities this opens up for promoting and supporting female athletes across campuses.
Last year’s women’s national championship game broke records, attracting 18.7 million viewers and becoming the most-watched match in women’s college basketball history. This turnout marked an 89% increase in viewership from the previous year and even surpassed the men’s championship game by 3 million viewers. Fans witnessed thrilling performances from top players, leading to heightened interest in the women’s game.
Prominent player Paige Bueckers, who could be a high draft pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, noted that the revenue-sharing initiative is a significant step forward, enhancing the visibility of women’s basketball. UConn’s coach, Geno Auriemma, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the statement made by this decision about the role of women’s basketball in college athletics.
The women’s NCAA Tournament is scheduled to begin on March 19 in Tampa, Florida.
