Report Shows Massive Gender Inequity in NCAA Basketball, Recommends Combined Final Four
"The primary reason, we believe, is that the gender inequities at the NCAA—and specifically within the NCAA Division I basketball championships—stem from the structure and systems of the NCAA itself, which are designed to maximize the value of and support to the Division I Men’s Basketball Championship as the primary source of funding for the NCAA and its membership," the report reads.
The NCAA’s external review on gender equity was released on Tuesday, highlighting staggering systemic inequity between men’s and women’s athletics—specifically in Division I basketball.
Among other recommendations, the report says the NCAA should combine the women’s and men’s Finals Four into a single weekend at the same venue.
Sources told Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger that the review would show “damning, clear disparities in treatment between men and women athletes,” before the release.
“The primary reason, we believe, is that the gender inequities at the NCAA—and specifically within the NCAA Division I basketball championships—stem from the structure and systems of the NCAA itself, which are designed to maximize the value of and support to the Division I Men’s Basketball Championship as the primary source of funding for the NCAA and its membership,” the report reads.