{"id":404,"date":"2025-04-20T11:01:20","date_gmt":"2025-04-20T11:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sewellconsultancy.com\/?p=404"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:34:50","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T10:34:50","slug":"yes-march-madness-sucked-and-ncaa-executives-dont-seem-to-care-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/sewellconsultancy.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/20\/yes-march-madness-sucked-and-ncaa-executives-dont-seem-to-care-opinion\/","title":{"rendered":"Yes, March Madness \u201csucked\u201d and NCAA executives don\u2019t seem to care (Opinion)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025 NCAA Women\u2019s and Men\u2019s Basketball Tournaments concluded recently — and Geno Auriemma, the legendary University of Connecticut Huskies women\u2019s coach, wasted no time in critiquing the state of the women\u2019s games, as he and others have done for years.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the tournament, Auriemma uttered a \u201cmic-drop\u201d comment, saying that the women\u2019s tournament experience \u201csucked\u201d compared to the men\u2019s<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Few college basketball figures are as influential and accomplished as Auriemma, who has led the Huskies to 12 national championships — including beating South Carolina for the national title this season \u2014 and by achieving a record 250 victories, which is more than any other men\u2019s or women\u2019s Division I coach has ever achieved.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He and other coaches continue to spark conversations about how the NCAA fails to treat women on an equal basis when it comes to such issues as lodging, travel, having to share schools\u2019 gymnasiums for pre-game practices and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Auriemma blamed the people in charge, saying those who run the women\u2019s side of the games are not \u201ctrue basketball people like those who run the men\u2019s tournament.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the heart of his frustration is the persistent disparity between how the NCAA treats its men\u2019s and women\u2019s tournament games, saying \u201cNCAA representatives come on our campuses all the time, and ask us if we have any suggestions, and then they leave, and nothing changes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He and others continue to challenge NCAA practices; women\u2019s basketball executives, unlike the men\u2019s, have historically not reported directly to the NCAA president like the men\u2019s. The women\u2019s staff is significantly less than the size of the men\u2019s, and<\/span>\u00a0<\/b>the women\u2019s tournament championship budget is appreciably less than the size of the men\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of Auriemma\u2019s primary concerns is the allocation of resources and funding. The men\u2019s tournament, often referred to as \u201cMarch Madness,\u201d is a massive spectacle that garners significant attention from media, sponsors and fans.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a well-oiled machine with substantial investments in marketing, venues and overall presentation. In contrast, the women\u2019s tournament receives a fraction of the funding, leading to less media coverage, having to share lower-quality facilities for practices and fewer opportunities to showcase their talents on a grand stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

This disparity was glaringly evident in the most recent tournament, where the NCAA\u2019s commitment to promoting and supporting women\u2019s basketball seemed lackluster. These shortcomings hurt not only the players hoping to make a strong appearance on television but also showed how the sport continues to invest disproportionately in both tournaments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Auriemma also spotlighted the scheduling and location of the women\u2019s tournament games, which were scheduled at less-than-ideal places and times for maximizing viewership. This planning not only diminished the potential audience but also undermined the players\u2019 efforts and achievements by relegating them to a lesser status. It is interesting to note that the men\u2019s championship game was held on ABC in prime-time, unlike the women\u2019s 3 p.m. Sunday start on ESPN, which sends a message that the women\u2019s game is less important or exciting than the men\u2019s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The locations chosen for the tournament games also play a crucial role in shaping the tournament\u2019s success. Auriemma criticized the location of venues. This year the women had only two regional games, unlike the men\u2019s four. He railed that his team had to travel over 3,000 miles to Spokane, Washington, to play in both the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games. He said that \u201chalf of the country had no choice to get to a game in person, especially our Connecticut fans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Auriemma and others continue to point out that the NCAA\u2019s women\u2019s tournament is significantly less than the men\u2019s when it comes to branding. While the men\u2019s tournament is heavily marketed and branded as an essential part of the sports calendar, the women\u2019s tournament struggles to achieve the same level of visibility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The NCAA\u2019s lack of commitment results in fewer sponsorship opportunities and less media coverage, which affects the financial stability and growth of women\u2019s programs across the country. Auriemma has long argued that until women\u2019s basketball receives more investment and attention, it will continue to be seen as less important, regardless of the talent and excitement it offers.<\/span><\/p>\n

In response to Auriemma\u2019s criticisms, the NCAA has once again faced increased pressure to re-evaluate its policies and practices. The organization has made commitments to address some of the concerns raised by Auriemma and others, but the path to true equality is fraught with challenges. It requires not only a shift in resource allocation but also a cultural change within the organization and among fans and stakeholders.<\/span><\/p>\n

One potential solution is greater transparency and accountability within the NCAA<\/span>.<\/b>\u00a0By openly sharing how decisions are made and resources are allocated, leadership can begin to rebuild trust with athletes, coaches and fans. Additionally, involving a diverse range of voices in decision-making processes can help ensure that the needs and perspectives of female athletes are considered and prioritized.<\/span><\/p>\n