• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 12, 2025

The NCAA Plans to Fund and Host a Women’s NIT

  • The NCAA plans to sponsor a WNIT, as it currently only pays for the men’s NIT.
  • The discussions are part of a broader effort to rectify gender inequities.
Erin Woodiel / Argus Leader

The NCAA’s Division I women’s basketball committee is planning to host a tournament similar to the men’s National Invitational Tournament (NIT) — a secondary event to March Madness, according to minutes of an August NCAA meeting that Front Office Sports reviewed. The minutes confirm an Athlon Sports/D1 Ticker report.

The NCAA did not have an additional comment.

While there currently is a WNIT, it’s owned or operated by a separate corporation called Triple Crown Sports. The NCAA only funds a men’s NIT — a major gender inequity.

  • The committee minutes note that the tournament will consist of 32 teams, and “mirror” the men’s NIT structure.
  • “The subcommittee will turn its focus to the estimated finances, estimated revenue and the governance process moving forward to establish such an event,” the minutes read. 

The discussions are part of a widespread effort to rectify major gender inequities in women’s basketball that were set off by a fiasco at the 2021 women’s tournament. After the tournament, the NCAA commissioned a gender equity report with dozens of recommendations — one of which was that the NCAA should sponsor a women’s NIT, given that it sponsors a men’s NIT. 

The current WNIT consists of 64 teams. Triple Crown Sports requires teams to pay the first $12,000 worth of travel and fund costs for “extra” travelers, according to the gender equity report. The NCAA covers costs for NIT participants, as it does for all championships.

UCLA women’s basketball players complained of gender inequities at the 2022 NIT, as the L.A. Times reported at the time.

The NCAA also has a financial incentive structure for the NIT similar — though less lucrative — to its Basketball Performance Fund, which awards prize money for prowess in men’s March Madness. In 2019, schools were awarded “units” worth more than $5,000 each for the men’s NIT. Again, given that the WNIT isn’t owned by the NCAA, women’s teams don’t receive units.

While the NCAA’s motivation is likely related to gender equity, it also might be a good business move. 

As Athlon Sports pointed out, the NCAA is gearing up to renegotiate its media rights contract with ESPN, which expires in 2024. Estimates have already suggested the package, which includes women’s March Madness, will be worth millions more than its current rate. And ESPN is definitely interested in renewing, sources previously told FOS. So the NCAA might be able to beef up its women’s basketball offerings with a WNIT.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Head coaches Willie Fritz of Houston, Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State, Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia, Lance Leipold of Kansas, Sonny Dykes of TCU, Kyle Whittingham of Utah, Brent Brennan of Arizona and Deion Sanders of Colorado all sit on stage for a Coaches Roundtable during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star.

Big 12 Commish: Conference Is ‘All In’ on International Expansion

The conference had once planned a large initiative in Mexico.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

NCAA: March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams ‘Still Viable’ for 2026

Negotiations continue with media rights holder CBS and TNT Sports.
July 10, 2025

Deion Sanders Rips ‘Bulljunk’ in CFB, Calls for NFL-Style Salary Cap

Coach Prime is frustrated with the new revenue-sharing era.
The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
July 10, 2025

Athletic Departments Express Renewed Interest in PE in Wake of House Settlement

Schools now have more expenses—and are looking for creative solutions.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard KK Arnold (2)1 dribbles against UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) during the third quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena.
July 10, 2025

‘Kind of a Joke’: Frustrations Mount As New NIL Deal Approval Process..

Delays have already led to athletes losing NIL opportunities.
Sebastian Rivera (R) tf. Danny Coles 6:47 (20-3). Rutgers University Wrestling vs Princeton in Piscataway, NJ on February 18, 2022.
July 9, 2025

The House Settlement Is Being Appealed. It Won’t Stop Revenue-Sharing—for Now

The settlement’s approval on June 6 triggered an appeals process.
July 9, 2025

Big Ten, Big 12 Commissioners Remain Far Apart on CFP’s Future

A decision on expansion must be made by December.
TSU Hockey at Bridgestone
July 8, 2025

Tennessee State’s HBCU Hockey Ambitions Delayed at Least a Year

The school will not launch the first-of-its-kind program as intended.