• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 15, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

At Men’s March Madness, $170M Is Up For Grabs

  • Part of the NCAA’s annual revenue distributions is awarded based on which makes it into the Big Dance.
  • The NCAA has been blasted for not having a similar performance fund for the women’s tournament.
The UNCA Bulldogs gathered with fans to watch the March Madness selections show at Kimmel Arena
Angela Wilhelm/Asheville Citizen Times

Success in the NCAA Division I men’s tournament can help teams can earn their conference a slice of a nine-figure pie.

That’s because part of the NCAA’s annual revenue distributions are awarded based on which teams make it into the Big Dance — and how far they advance. 

A view of the outside of University of Dayton Arena at night.

Why Men’s March Madness Always Begins in Dayton

Dayton has hosted the most men’s tournament games in NCAA history.
March 14, 2023

In 2023, the NCAA will send $170 million to schools from the “Basketball Performance Fund,” and $10 million for participating in the tournaments. The total NCAA revenue distribution for 2023 will top $638 million, according to NCAA documents.

Here’s how the distribution works:

  • Each conference earns a distribution for eligibility in the men’s and women’s tournaments — conferences are each awarded one automatic bid for their conference tournament champion.
  • Then, conferences receive what the NCAA calls a “unit” for each of its teams that makes the tournament beyond the conference champion’s automatic bid. The Big Ten will earn the most of these units this year after qualifying eight teams.
  • Conferences receive additional units for each team that advances. No units are awarded for the championship round.
  • Units are averaged on a six-year rolling basis. 

However, the NCAA has been blasted for not having a similar performance fund for the women’s tournament. Experts have said the lack of a women’s fund disincentivizes schools to invest in women’s basketball, creating equity issues.

The governing body is in the process of considering how to amend the distribution plan.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

College Football’s Costly Start for Virginia Tech, UCLA: Coaches Out

UCLA and Virginia Tech fire their coaches while Notre Dame slumps badly.
exclusive

Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, Rob Dauster to Lead On3’s College Hoops..

Goodman previously worked for ESPN, CBS Sports, and Stadium.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.

Featured Today

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Aug 23, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leads the team onto the field for warm ups before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
September 7, 2025

Slow Burn: The NFL’s Private-Equity Era So Far

Three deals have been struck to date. But the league is bullish.
Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., ahead of President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.

House Republicans Delay SCORE Act Vote Tentatively Planned for Next Week

They didn’t believe they had enough votes to pass the bill.
Feb 17, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs guard Jalen Weaver (5) during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at ExtraMile Arena.
September 10, 2025

NCAA Bans 3 Basketball Players for Violating Betting Rules Last Season

The former San Jose State and Fresno State players have lost eligibility.
Jan 25, 2023; Langley, British Columbia, CAN; Highlights from the CHL Kubota Top Prospects game at the Langley Events Centre
September 10, 2025

NCAA Hockey Scouts Denied Passes for Crucial Recruiting League

The CHL won’t welcome scouts on passes: “It comes across as petty.”
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
NFL Congress
exclusive
September 10, 2025

College Sports ‘House of Cards’: Republicans, Lobbyists Work to Secure Votes to..

Several House Republicans criticized the SCORE Act on social media.
The cover of the College Football 25 video game.
exclusive
September 9, 2025

Group That Facilitated NIL Deal for Football Video Game Now Says It’s..

EA offered $1,500 and no royalties; it also deleted an opt-out clause.
Sep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; South Florida Bulls place kicker Nico Gramatica (7), South Florida Bulls long snapper Turner McLaughlin (48) and teammates celebrate after a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
September 8, 2025

USF Is the Newest Financial Underdog in the AP Top 25

USF’s athletic department brings in half the amount Florida does.
September 7, 2025

Oklahoma-Michigan Was a Battle of Dueling QB NIL Philosophies

Bryce Underwood got into a heated exchange with his teammate.