Women's Basketball Teams to Start Earning from March Madness

For the first time, women's basketball teams will be paid for playing in March Madness. This big change came when the NCAA approved a new pay structure. It means teams can earn money based on how well they do in the tournament. This is a big deal because until now, only men's teams got paid. The vote to make this happen was unanimous. That means everyone agreed that it's a good idea. The new plan is similar to what the men's teams have been doing for years. Teams will get something called "performance units, " which represent money. A team that reaches the Final Four could bring in a lot of money for its conference. This new plan will start small. In the first year, $15 million will be given out. But by 2028, it will be $25 million. That's a huge increase! Coaches and players are really excited about this. They think it will help grow women's basketball even more. The plan also has other benefits. Money from the tournament will go to the schools and conferences. This can help with things like scholarships and better training facilities. It's a big step towards making sure women's sports get treated fairly.