UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma believes Title IX legislation, in practice, is “pretty much out the window.” He made the comments while his team prepared for Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup against North Carolina. He added that “most of the NCAA laws have gone out the window.”
Auriemma’s Perspective on Revenue Sharing and Funding
Auriemma, who is in his 41st year of coaching the Huskies, questioned the allocation of revenue sharing payouts. He raised concerns that women’s basketball would not receive the same amount as football and men’s basketball, despite the $20.5 million per school payout. He stated, “I’m sure there’s some schools that are trying really hard to stay with that in terms of numbers, scholarship opportunities for people, but when it comes time for funding and putting money into those programs that would make you believe that it’s the same, I don’t see that as much anymore as I did in the beginning.”
Title IX, passed in 1972, prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities, including athletics, at institutions receiving federal funding.
The Impact of Athlete Compensation
The college sports landscape has undergone significant changes, particularly since 2021, with athletes now able to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness. Schools are now able to directly pay athletes. However, the Trump administration rescinded guidance from the Biden-era Department of Education that had stated that schools must equitably distribute direct payments to male and female athletes.
The reversal has led to concerns that athletic departments are directing funds to revenue-generating sports like football and men’s basketball, potentially at the expense of women’s and Olympic sports. Multiple appeals arguing that the determination violates Title IX are still pending resolution.
Calls for Continued Investment in Women’s Sports
Auriemma believes equity will depend on conference commissioners and athletic directors continuing to fund women’s sports. Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks echoed this sentiment. Brooks stated, “One of the main reasons that I came to the University of Kentucky was for consistent investment … I’ve been a women’s basketball coach for 24 years, and it’s been a battle fighting consistently for investment just into the sport.”
Brooks added, “Not only financially, but emotional support. I watch these young women come out and they compete, and they represent and they do everything the right way, and that’s all you want for them is to get the same opportunities that their counterparts get. I will continue to fight for that.”