NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Introduces Profit Shares

For the first time in NCAA history, women's basketball teams participating in the tournament will receive monetary 'units' for their games, a privilege that men's teams have enjoyed since the early 1990s. Each game played by a women's team will earn approximately $113,000 for their respective conferences, with a total of 132 units available this year worth $15 million, increasing in future years. This change marks a significant step towards gender equity in college athletics, following years of criticism regarding disparities in treatment and funding between men's and women's tournaments. Coaches and players alike are celebrating this milestone, acknowledging the progress while also recognizing the need for further improvements. The transformation has been partly fueled by public outcry over visible inequalities, such as the stark differences in facilities highlighted during the 2021 tournament. Overall, while this initiative represents progress, it underscores the ongoing struggle for equal treatment and recognition in collegiate sports.