What NCAA's new legislation means for LSU women's basketball

On Wednesday evening, the NCAA officially approved a new plan that will install revenue sharing in the women’s NCAA Tournament, a model that has been in place for the men’s tournament for years. This will take place immediately in the 2025 NCAA tournament and begin being distributed in 2026.

“Units earned by participating teams would be paid out to schools’ respective conference offices starting in 2026 on a rolling three-year basis.” It says in the NCAA’s press release, meaning it goes to the SEC, just like in football how a team’s advancement in the playoffs gives revenue for the conference which is distributed within the league.

In total, it’s likely a win for the SEC more than it is LSU, especially with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma, two more high-level women’s basketball programs. The conference currently has seven teams in the AP Top 25 and three more receiving votes, likely in the NCAA Tournament field.

LSU has won a national title and reached the Elite Eight over the past two years, bringing in significant viewership and revenue for the NCAA, ESPN, and all parties involved in broadcasting women’s basketball. Even with Angel Reese in the WNBA now, the Tigers continue to be one of the main draws across the country with head coach Kim Mulkey and stars Flau’Jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow.

As college athletics becomes increasingly about the amount of money you have as a program, LSU has shown a great financial backing for Mulkey and this program and now with revenue sharing from the NCAA Tournament, every win the Tigers get in March will become that much more significant. In totality, it probably won’t change anything significantly with how LSU operates in terms of overhead spending, but the potential for player compensation and the return financially for women’s basketball programs will continue to grow.

Full press release from the NCAA

“Beginning this year, teams participating and advancing in the Division I Women’s Basketball Championship will earn financial rewards for their conferences, the Division I membership decided Wednesday at the NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. 

“This is a historic day for women’s sports, women’s basketball and the NCAA,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said. “We have made investing in women’s sports a priority, and today’s vote means our members have the opportunity to do even more on campus to promote and support female athletes. I can’t wait to see all the incredible things they do.” 

The “units” will be earned first with the 2025 tournament and distributed starting in 2026. Last summer, the NCAA Board of Governors approved the funding to establish two revenue distribution categories and to increase their value to $25 million over three years.  

The distribution structure for the Women’s Basketball Equal Conference Fund and Women’s Basketball Performance Fund will be similar to that of the Division I men’s basketball tournament. 

The funds will begin at a combined value of $15 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year, increase to $20 million for 2026-27 and reach $25 million starting with 2027-28. After reaching the fully funded amount of $25 million, the funds would grow at the same rate as all other Division I funds, which is approximately 2.9% each year. Units earned by participating teams would be paid out to schools’ respective conference offices starting in 2026 on a rolling three-year basis. 

Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach, a member of the Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee and a board member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, praised the decision. 

“For several years, NCAA members have been working to advance gender equity in college sports, including and especially in women’s basketball, and the passage of this proposal marks a significant step toward that goal,” she said. “At the same time, women’s college basketball is skyrocketing in popularity, and now is the time for NCAA members to invest financially in the sport to continue its growth trajectory while enhancing the major experiences we strive to provide.” 

Lach noted that the funds will be distributed to conferences without restrictions on their use, but she indicated the Horizon League would use its distributions to reward schools for their strength of schedule and performance in the women’s basketball tournament. She encouraged other leagues to do the same. 

Student-athlete Kennedy Todd-Williams, who plays women’s basketball at Ole Miss and serves on the Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee with Roe Lach, said the decision shows the importance of women’s sports in the college landscape. 

“Women’s basketball has so much to offer, not just to athletes, but to fans and communities everywhere,” Todd-Williams said. “As a women’s basketball player, I believe investing in our game is crucial to unlocking its full potential. By creating more opportunities and resources, the NCAA can help elevate women’s basketball to new heights and show the world just how incredible this sport is. Together, we can grow the game and inspire the future of women’s sports.”