Yes, March Madness “sucked” and NCAA executives don’t seem to care (Opinion)

The 2025 NCAA Women’s and Men’s Basketball Tournaments concluded recently — and Geno Auriemma, the legendary University of Connecticut Huskies women’s coach, wasted no time in critiquing the state of the women’s games, as he and others have done for years.  

During the tournament, Auriemma uttered a “mic-drop” comment, saying that the women’s tournament experience “sucked” compared to the men’s.

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 — and by achieving a record 250 victories, which is more than any other men’s or women’s Division I coach has ever achieved. 

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’ gymnasiums for pre-game practices and more.

Auriemma blamed the people in charge, saying those who run the women’s side of the games are not “true basketball people like those who run the men’s tournament.” 

At the heart of his frustration is the persistent disparity between how the NCAA treats its men’s and women’s tournament games, saying “NCAA representatives come on our campuses all the time, and ask us if we have any suggestions, and then they leave, and nothing changes.”

He and others continue to challenge NCAA practices; women’s basketball executives, unlike the men’s, have historically not reported directly to the NCAA president like the men’s. The women’s staff is significantly less than the size of the men’s, and the women’s tournament championship budget is appreciably less than the size of the men’s.

One of Auriemma’s primary concerns is the allocation of resources and funding. The men’s tournament, often referred to as “March Madness,” is a massive spectacle that garners significant attention from media, sponsors and fans.

It is a well-oiled machine with substantial investments in marketing, venues and overall presentation. In contrast, the women’s 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.

This disparity was glaringly evident in the most recent tournament, where the NCAA’s commitment to promoting and supporting women’s 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. 

Auriemma also spotlighted the scheduling and location of the women’s 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’ efforts and achievements by relegating them to a lesser status. It is interesting to note that the men’s championship game was held on ABC in prime-time, unlike the women’s 3 p.m. Sunday start on ESPN, which sends a message that the women’s game is less important or exciting than the men’s. 

The locations chosen for the tournament games also play a crucial role in shaping the tournament’s success. Auriemma criticized the location of venues. This year the women had only two regional games, unlike the men’s 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 “half of the country had no choice to get to a game in person, especially our Connecticut fans.”

Auriemma and others continue to point out that the NCAA’s women’s tournament is significantly less than the men’s when it comes to branding. While the men’s tournament is heavily marketed and branded as an essential part of the sports calendar, the women’s tournament struggles to achieve the same level of visibility. 

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

In response to Auriemma’s 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.

One potential solution is greater transparency and accountability within the NCAA. By 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.

The media and sponsors have a crucial role to play in this transformation. By committing to cover women’s sports with the same enthusiasm and dedication as men’s, media outlets can help shift public perception and increase interest in women’s competitions. Similarly, sponsors who invest in women’s sports can drive change by demonstrating that there is significant value and potential in supporting female athletes.

It is crucial to recognize that achieving equality in sports is not just about addressing disparities in treatment but also about changing the narrative around all women’s sports. By doing so, we can ensure that future generations of women athletes compete on a stage that values their contributions and celebrates their achievements.

Beginning this year, universities will be able to directly pay millions of dollars to university athletes. Don’t hold your breath that women will get their fair share! 

Jim Martin, past CU regent, can be reached at jimmartinesq@gmail.com.

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