A large step towards gender equity in college basketball has been made. Beginning this March, women’s college basketball teams will now, for the first time ever, be paid during the March Madness tournament, matching the pay that men’s teams have received since 1991.
On Jan. 15, the NCAA Board of Governors took two different votes to fund women’s teams. The first vote established the inaugural women’s fund, which will distribute a set amount of money to teams in March Madness, and it was unanimously supported. The second vote to begin paying the teams at this year’s March Madness, which ended one vote shy from unanimous support.
March Madness is the most popular college basketball tournament for women’s and men’s basketball. Teams compete in a three-week-long, 64-team, single elimination tournament. Men have been receiving compensation for their achievement in this tournament for nearly 35 years. This tournament is typically one of the most competitive events across the NCAA, regardless of the money.
The NCAA’s stance on gender equity focuses on minimizing the limits on women’s participation in sports and in leadership roles. The program has made a lot of progress with closing the gap between women’s and men’s sports since 1981.
Now, after three decades, women’s collegiate teams who make the tournament will finally be receiving payment units of $131,636. As the teams advance in March Madness, more units will be given, up to a total of $15 million spent across all teams. The total units will gradually increase after each year.
Although this money does not go directly to the teams, it benefits the entire conference. The earnings help the teams in their respective conferences with traveling expenses for away games, tournaments, and equipment.
Women’s basketball has gained a lot of popularity over the years with many legendary players coming in and out of the game. On average, the viewership of women’s basketball was around five million. Now it averages around ten million per season for both the WNBA and NCAA.
The growing viewership of women’s basketball is part of a larger trend of female sports finally being recognized with appropriate compensation and appreciation. The NCAA’s efforts to draw closer towards a level playing field is a huge step for gender equity in sports.
