• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 9, 2025

NCAA Exec Wants to Move Up Review of Women’s Tournament

  • A review of the format could take place this summer, a year ahead of schedule.
  • The women don’t play at neutral sites until the second weekend, which was an issue this year in Spokane.
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Changes could be coming to women’s March Madness after a blockbuster tournament this spring.

Lynn Holzman, the NCAA executive who oversees the tournament, told ESPN Tuesday that she supports moving up a review of the women’s tournament format to this summer. The review was originally scheduled for next summer.

“Given the trajectory of success we’ve experienced over the last couple years, I see no reason to wait to start that review,” Holzman told ESPN. “The governance structure has to approve [a review], but that is our ask coming out of this championship. I believe that will take place.”

Right now, the First Four and first two rounds of the women’s tournament are played at the highest seed’s gym, and games the next weekend are split between two neutral sites. That’s different from the men’s format in which all games are in neutral territory and second-weekend games touch down in four cities.

“I think both of those topics indicate our continued intention to evolve and grow our championship in a way that creates value and also provides a great experience for our fans and student-athletes,” Holzman said on a Front Office Sports panel before the tournament.

The current format created issues in Spokane over the first weekend. The city was already a host site for the men and set to host a large youth volleyball tournament the same weekend by the time Gonzaga earned its spot as a women’s host site. Hotels were full, so the NCAA permitted Gonzaga to place teams about 30 miles away in Idaho, where Utah’s traveling party experienced racial abuse.

Another major difference between the tournaments is that the women’s Final Four is typically played in a basketball arena, while the men’s is played in a much larger football stadium. While the cozier hoops arenas are arguably a better environment for players and fans, in recent years, the relatively limited supply of women’s tickets—football stadiums typically fit double or triple the amount of people—has made women’s tickets more expensive. Holzman did not specify whether moving the tournament to a football stadium would be part of the review.

The NCAA conducted a gender equity review in 2021 after players raised awareness of the differences between the two tournaments, and the governing body has increased its spending by $14 million per year on the women’s tournament, per an NCAA spokesperson.

Holzman told ESPN that the other issues in the women’s tournament this year, such as the three-point line mismeasurement and a referee having a conflict of interest and being pulled mid-game, were not specific to the women’s side. The company putting in the court and process to vet officials are the same for both tournaments, and the budget for refs is equal since the 2021 review, she said.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Inside NCAA Headquarters located in Indianapolis on Friday, March 10, 2023. Ncaa President Charlie Baker

NCAA Approves Plan to Let D-I College Athletes Bet on Pro Sports

The proposal still needs to be approved by D-II and D-III committees.
Oct 4, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys outside linebacker Poasa Ute (35) and Wendell Gregory (4) celebrate during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.
exclusive

New Bill Aims to Prohibit Athletic Department, Conference Private-Equity Deals

The bill would bar schools from selling ownership stakes.

CFB’s New Parity Era: Penn State, Texas Top-25 Exits Signal Shift

Penn State and Texas fall entirely out of the top-25 rankings.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the game at Kenan Stadium

UNC’s Disastrous Season Continues With Report of NCAA Rules Violation

A UNC cornerbacks coach reportedly gave sideline passes to a player’s family.
Sep 20, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule walks onto the field before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium.
October 7, 2025

Big Ten Teams Grapple With Long Flights, Time-Zone Hurdles

Coaches across the country are noticing some impact.
Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates after making an interception during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium.
exclusive
October 7, 2025

Big Ten Considering Investment From California Pension Fund

Under the proposal, Big Ten would spin assets into a new entity.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
October 7, 2025

NIL Hits Week 1: Auburn’s Atlanta Game Marks Next Step in Player..

The teams will play in the 2026 Aflac Kickoff Game.
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl.
October 6, 2025

The Improbability of UCLA’s Incredible Upset Win Against Penn State

Before UCLA beat Penn State, donors were deeply unhappy.
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium.
October 6, 2025

Penn State Has a $50 Million James Franklin Problem

Franklin’s team lost to unranked UCLA on Saturday despite being heavy favorites.
Cody Campbell
October 4, 2025

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.