Beyond the Bracket: NCAA Women’s Basketball Shoots for Equality in the 2025 March Madness Tournament
March Madness: The Shift Toward Equality in College Basketball
Think about all the March Madness brackets you’ve filled out. Were they always for the men’s tournament? Did you even know there was a women’s bracket?
Until recently, the NCAA women’s tournament wasn’t officially branded as "March Madness." That changed in 2022 after a social media uproar. Oregon’s Sedona Prince posted a viral video exposing the stark differences between the weight rooms at the men’s and women’s tournaments. The footage showed a tiny, inadequate setup for the women, compared to a fully equipped gym for the men. The video sparked outrage, exposing long-standing inequalities in college athletics.
For years, "March Madness" was synonymous with the men's tournament by default. The revenue gap between men's and women's sports has historically been massive, but the narrative is shifting, especially when it comes to viewership.
Viewership is Catching Up
Men’s sports have traditionally dominated in revenue, but not always in viewership. The 2023–24 season marked a major milestone for women’s basketball.
While the men’s tournament still brings in more revenue, the distribution of that revenue remains alarmingly unequal. Women make up 43.4% of all college athletes, yet they receive 20–30% less in travel budgets, recruiting resources, equipment, and overall operating expenses.
A 2021 Purdue University study found that media coverage of women’s sports has barely improved since the 1980s. In 2019, women’s sports received just 5.4% of total airtime—a marginal increase from 5% in 1989.
However, viewership numbers tell a different story.
In the 2023-24 season, the NCAA women’s championship game between South Carolina and Iowa averaged 18.7 million viewers, surpassing the men’s title game, which averaged 14.8 million during UConn’s championship run.
The Most-Watched Women’s College Basketball Game Ever
The 2023 final was the most-watched women’s college basketball game in history. The impact went beyond TV ratings—it proved representation in sports matters.
Following the game, Google searches for "girls basketball club" skyrocketed by 305% in the U.S. This surge wasn’t just about revenue or media hype; it was about inspiration and the love of the game.
Key Players and Role Models
Caitlin Clark is a name that has become impossible to ignore. Her dedication to the game has sparked what many call the "Caitlin Clark Effect." After an unforgettable career at Iowa, Clark made history as the No. 1 overall draft pick, selected by the Indiana Fever. Since joining the team, her impact has been undeniable. Fever jersey sales have surged by 1,000%, and ticket sales have skyrocketed by 250%.
But Clark isn’t the only one inspiring the next generation of hoopers. If you've watched UConn during the Women’s March Madness Tournament, you’ve likely seen young fans rocking Paige Bueckers' signature double braids and proudly wearing her jersey. Bueckers has been a force on the court, dropping three consecutive 30-point performances and leading UConn to its 24th Final Four appearance.
To catch Bueckers, tune in as UConn heads to Tampa, Florida, to face overall No. 1 seed UCLA on Friday.
Women’s basketball is thriving, and these stars are proving that the future of the game is brighter than ever.
A Game-Changing Deal for Women’s Sports
The NCAA’s new eight-year, $920 million deal with ESPN is a major win for women’s sports. The agreement includes exclusive championship coverage for all rounds of the women’s basketball tournament, along with expanded coverage of women’s volleyball, gymnastics, softball, and more.
Women’s college basketball is no longer in the shadows. It’s leading the way in proving that women’s sports are not just worth watching, they are must-watch events.
To tune in and watch your favorite women's teams play, check the schedule.
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