"The NCAA expanded the number of women's teams in the tournament from 64 to 68, increased the pool of money paid out to teams in the women's tournament, and allowed the women's tournament to use the March Madness branding."
"Viewer numbers rose and TV deals more than tripled in payouts from $35.7 million to $115 million last year, representing a great outcome for the NCAA after a social post shaming their inequitable training facilities went viral."
"Women's programs, as well as non-revenue-generating Olympic sports and lower-resourced institutions, are all vulnerable in the new semipro arena of college sports, dominated by football programs at Power 4 conferences."
"The investment in women's basketball showed female players that their sport matters, but any progress toward equity is at risk due to the current crisis across collegiate athletics."
The NCAA women's March Madness tournament has evolved significantly, gaining the right to use the 'March Madness' name and expanding from 64 to 68 teams. Increased funding and viewer engagement followed, with payouts rising from $35.7 million to $115 million. However, the current crisis in collegiate athletics, dominated by powerful football programs, poses risks to women's programs and non-revenue sports, threatening the equity achieved in recent years.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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