From the NCAA:
Beginning this year, teams participating and advancing in the Division I Women's Basketball Championship will earn financial rewards for their conferences, the Division I membership decided Wednesday at the NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
"This is a historic day for women's sports, women's basketball and the NCAA," NCAA President Charlie Baker said. "We have made investing in women's sports a priority, and today's vote means our members have the opportunity to do even more on campus to promote and support female athletes. I can't wait to see all the incredible things they do."
The "units" will be earned first with the 2025 tournament and distributed starting in 2026. Last summer, the NCAA Board of Governors approved the funding to establish two revenue distribution categories and to increase their value to $25 million over three years.
The distribution structure for the Women's Basketball Equal Conference Fund and Women's Basketball Performance Fund will be similar to that of the Division I men's basketball tournament.
The funds will begin at a combined value of $15 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year, increase to $20 million for 2026-27 and reach $25 million starting with 2027-28. After reaching the fully funded amount of $25 million, the funds would grow at the same rate as all other Division I funds, which is approximately 2.9% each year. Units earned by participating teams would be paid out to schools' respective conference offices starting in 2026 on a rolling three-year basis.
Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach, a member of the Women's Basketball Oversight Committee and a board member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, praised the decision.
"For several years, NCAA members have been working to advance gender equity in college sports, including and especially in women's basketball, and the passage of this proposal marks a significant step toward that goal," she said. "At the same time, women's college basketball is skyrocketing in popularity, and now is the time for NCAA members to invest financially in the sport to continue its growth trajectory while enhancing the major experiences we strive to provide."
Lach noted that the funds will be distributed to conferences without restrictions on their use, but she indicated the Horizon League would use its distributions to reward schools for their strength of schedule and performance in the women's basketball tournament. She encouraged other leagues to do the same.
Student-athlete Kennedy Todd-Williams, who plays women's basketball at Ole Miss and serves on the Women's Basketball Oversight Committee with Roe Lach, said the decision shows the importance of women's sports in the college landscape.
"Women's basketball has so much to offer, not just to athletes, but to fans and communities everywhere," Todd-Williams said. "As a women's basketball player, I believe investing in our game is crucial to unlocking its full potential. By creating more opportunities and resources, the NCAA can help elevate women's basketball to new heights and show the world just how incredible this sport is. Together, we can grow the game and inspire the future of women's sports."
Beginning this year, teams participating and advancing in the Division I Women's Basketball Championship will earn financial rewards for their conferences, the Division I membership decided Wednesday at the NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
"This is a historic day for women's sports, women's basketball and the NCAA," NCAA President Charlie Baker said. "We have made investing in women's sports a priority, and today's vote means our members have the opportunity to do even more on campus to promote and support female athletes. I can't wait to see all the incredible things they do."
The "units" will be earned first with the 2025 tournament and distributed starting in 2026. Last summer, the NCAA Board of Governors approved the funding to establish two revenue distribution categories and to increase their value to $25 million over three years.
The distribution structure for the Women's Basketball Equal Conference Fund and Women's Basketball Performance Fund will be similar to that of the Division I men's basketball tournament.
The funds will begin at a combined value of $15 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year, increase to $20 million for 2026-27 and reach $25 million starting with 2027-28. After reaching the fully funded amount of $25 million, the funds would grow at the same rate as all other Division I funds, which is approximately 2.9% each year. Units earned by participating teams would be paid out to schools' respective conference offices starting in 2026 on a rolling three-year basis.
Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach, a member of the Women's Basketball Oversight Committee and a board member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, praised the decision.
"For several years, NCAA members have been working to advance gender equity in college sports, including and especially in women's basketball, and the passage of this proposal marks a significant step toward that goal," she said. "At the same time, women's college basketball is skyrocketing in popularity, and now is the time for NCAA members to invest financially in the sport to continue its growth trajectory while enhancing the major experiences we strive to provide."
Lach noted that the funds will be distributed to conferences without restrictions on their use, but she indicated the Horizon League would use its distributions to reward schools for their strength of schedule and performance in the women's basketball tournament. She encouraged other leagues to do the same.
Student-athlete Kennedy Todd-Williams, who plays women's basketball at Ole Miss and serves on the Women's Basketball Oversight Committee with Roe Lach, said the decision shows the importance of women's sports in the college landscape.
"Women's basketball has so much to offer, not just to athletes, but to fans and communities everywhere," Todd-Williams said. "As a women's basketball player, I believe investing in our game is crucial to unlocking its full potential. By creating more opportunities and resources, the NCAA can help elevate women's basketball to new heights and show the world just how incredible this sport is. Together, we can grow the game and inspire the future of women's sports."
