Women's basketball teams are on the verge of a significant development that could lead to financial rewards for success in the NCAA Tournament. The Division I Board of Directors is set to introduce a proposal to grant performance units to teams participating in March Madness. These units represent revenue generated by the tournament.
The plan, expected to be voted on in January, would establish financial incentives for women's basketball teams starting with the 2025 tournament. This move aligns with the longstanding practice of sharing March Madness revenue with member schools, a tradition primarily associated with the men's tournament.
The men's tournament has historically been a lucrative venture, with the 2018 edition alone bringing in $844.3 million in television and marketing rights. The revenue from these events is channeled back to member schools, supporting various athletic endeavors such as scholarships, coaching salaries, and facility upgrades.
The absence of a units system for the women's tournament has been a subject of criticism in the past. However, the recent media rights deal between the NCAA and ESPN, valuing women's basketball at $65 million per tournament, has paved the way for this progressive change.
The proposed women's March Madness program is anticipated to mirror the men's model, where teams receive revenue units for tournament participation. The longer a team progresses in the tournament, the more units their conference accrues, with revenue distribution managed by the respective conferences.
The success of the women's tournament has been evident in recent years, culminating in record-breaking viewership and attendance figures. The growth of the women's game has been underscored by the excitement it generates and the investments being made in the sport.
Overall, the move to introduce a units program for the women's NCAA Tournament signifies a significant step towards recognizing and rewarding the achievements of women's basketball teams on par with their male counterparts.
