College Basketball
Women’s March Madness 2025: Breaking Down Its True Media Value
David Evans is an experienced sports journalist with over 15 years in the field. He is known for his reliable and insightful commentary, which has been featured on numerous top sports betting platforms. David specializes in North Carolina basketball, college football, the NFL, soccer, and golf, offering deep knowledge and straightforward analysis in his articles. Outside of work, David stays active with regular gym workouts and enjoys relaxing at home with his cat. With a solid blend of experience and passion, David is a well-respected name in sports journalism, consistently providing valuable and informative content to his readers.
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How Much Should Women’s March Madness Be Worth?
The women’s NCAA basketball tournament is undervalued. Right now, it’s part of a bundled $920 million deal between the NCAA and ESPN that covers 40 championships. Analysts estimate that Women’s March Madness alone could be worth between $81 million and $112 million per year if sold on its own. That’s more than the NCAA currently attributes to the entire bundle—about $65 million per year for women’s hoops.
Viewership backs that up. The 2024 national title game between South Carolina and Iowa, featuring Caitlin Clark drew 18.9 million viewers, outpacing the men’s final. Advertisers are paying top dollar, and interest is growing fast. This is a major media property hiding in a package deal.
Why Women’s March Madness Isn’t Sold Separately
The NCAA keeps women’s basketball bundled with 39 other championships—many of which aren’t profitable—because it helps subsidize the cost of producing and broadcasting those events. Without that support, sports like fencing, rifle, and rowing would likely get little or no airtime.
Bundling makes sense from a logistics and exposure standpoint. It guarantees ESPN covers everything from softball to track to volleyball. But it holds back the women’s basketball tournament from reaching its full market value.
What a Standalone Deal Could Mean
If Women’s March Madness landed a standalone media deal at $112 million per year, here’s what would change:
- Higher payouts to conferences – The NCAA is moving toward a “unit” system for women’s basketball, like what men’s teams have. More money means each tournament appearance would pay more.
- Stronger regular-season coverage – Networks would have incentive to invest in more quality year-round programming, not just a few weeks in March.
- NIL growth for players – More TV time and higher-profile games attract sponsors. Athletes benefit directly.
- Recruiting edge – Schools with strong women’s programs could sell recruits on national exposure and professional development opportunities.
- Financial equity – The gap between men’s and women’s basketball media value narrows. That changes how athletic departments budget.
Where Women’s College Basketball Is Going Next
The current ESPN deal runs through 2032, but there’s growing pressure to unbundle Women’s March Madness in the next negotiation. Coaches like Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma have publicly called for it. The ratings, ad revenue, and fan interest all point in one direction.
Women’s college basketball is no longer a side event. It’s a standalone product with real market power. The next rights deal should reflect that. If it does, the sport can scale up fast—more games on national TV, better pay for coaches and players, and a bigger seat at the table in college sports.
