• Loading stock data...
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

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

Auburn Tigers guard Miles Kelly (13) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against Kentucky during the first half in SEC basketball at Rupp Arena Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Kentucky March 1, 2025

The SEC’s Ascent to Men’s Basketball Supremacy

The league brought its football pageantry and power to college hoops.
Deivon Smith

Billionaire-Backed St. John’s Wins First Big East Tournament in 25 Years

The Red Storm has spent millions on a renaissance that’s paid off.

Cheryl Miller on Caitlin Clark’s Foes: ‘Big Dummies, You Getting Paid’

Cheryl Miller was a guest on the “All the Smoke” podcast.
Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) is injured in the first half at Spectrum Center.

Duke Star Cooper Flagg Out for ACC Tournament With Ankle Injury

Flagg is the presumptive top pick in this summer’s NBA draft.

Featured Today

San Diego Wave FC falls to Orlando Pride at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA on April 29, 2023.

The New Tailored Approach to Women’s Sports Uniforms

For new women’s sports leagues, every detail is custom.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) cuts down the net after beating LSU in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament between Iowa and LSU at MVP Arena, Monday, April 1, 2024 in Albany, N.Y.
opinion
March 9, 2025

Reader Mailbag: Leagues Need Must-Watch Moments

Readers responded to NHL success and what it means for other leagues.
Moolah Kicks
March 8, 2025

Breaking the Mold: The Brands Designing Footwear Specifically for Female Athletes

New companies are laser focused on changing the women’s athletic footwear landscape.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY, 22: Houston Astros play the Washington Nationals in Spring Training at Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2025 in West Palm Beach, FL. (
March 6, 2025

Astros Strength Coach Stephanie Grubbs Is Building an ‘Arsenal’ of Skills

The MLB team’s first female coach talks to FOS about her trajectory.
Mar 14, 2025; New York, NY, USA; St. John's Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) celebrates with forward Sadiku Ibine Ayo (2) during the second half against the Marquette Golden Eagles at Madison Square Garden

‘No Panic In This Stock Market’: St. John’s Competes for Landmark Big..

“There’s no panic in this stock market,” said coach Rick Pitino.
March 13, 2025

AAC Becomes First Conference to Set Athlete Revenue-Sharing Minimum

The conference is the first to roll out a requirement for revenue sharing.
Shaka Smart
exclusive
March 13, 2025

Shaka Smart Is Telling Players They Don’t Need Agents at Marquette

Smart’s best player lists his coach as his agent.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Dec 18, 2024; Inglewood, CA, USA; The UNLV Rebels celebrate after defeating the California Golden Bears in the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium.
March 13, 2025

UNLV AD Says School Can’t Afford Back Half of Football Coach Contract

The Rebels can currently pay for the first two years of a five-year deal.
Mar 16, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; The 2024 Pac-12 Conference men's basketball champion trophy at center court on the Pac-12 logo at T-Mobile Arena.
March 12, 2025

Pac-12’s Absence Being Felt On and Off Court As March Madness Approaches

There is one less conference tournament this year.
Mar 11, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Dillon Mitchell (23) and Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Connor Dow (13) go after a loose ball during the second half at T-Mobile Center.
March 12, 2025

Big 12 Commish: Garish Court Design Is ‘Profound Statement,’ Could Go on..

The new design has gotten mixed reviews from fans.
Mar 8, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) reacts with her team after winning the Big Ten Conference Championship against USC Trojans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
March 12, 2025

Women’s Conference Title Ratings Short of Last Year, Still Trending Up

The ACC and Big 12 championship games both set viewership records.