When the NCAA’s March Madness exposed its shameful inequality between men’s and women’s facilities — a lavish weight room for the men, a stack of dumbbells for the women — the public was stunned. But let’s not kid ourselves: this wasn't an isolated mistake. It was a mirror reflecting decades of systemic neglect.
Female athletes train just as hard. They sweat, bleed, and sacrifice just like their male counterparts. Yet, when it's time for the spotlight, the budget, the coverage — they're consistently left behind. Why? Because the NCAA sees them as second-tier.
The old excuse? "Men’s sports generate more revenue." But the NCAA is a nonprofit governing body, not a business empire. If you only invest in men, of course, women’s sports won’t “measure up.” That’s not a market outcome — that’s institutional bias.
This isn't about handouts or forced equality. It's about basic respect and fair opportunity. It’s about recognizing that young women who earn scholarships, train like pros, and represent their schools deserve more than secondhand gear and empty stands.
And yet, every year, the NCAA proves it: equity is optional — if you’re a woman.
The disparity isn’t just unacceptable — it’s disgraceful. And it’s time for a full-blown reckoning.
Female athletes train just as hard. They sweat, bleed, and sacrifice just like their male counterparts. Yet, when it's time for the spotlight, the budget, the coverage — they're consistently left behind. Why? Because the NCAA sees them as second-tier.
The old excuse? "Men’s sports generate more revenue." But the NCAA is a nonprofit governing body, not a business empire. If you only invest in men, of course, women’s sports won’t “measure up.” That’s not a market outcome — that’s institutional bias.
This isn't about handouts or forced equality. It's about basic respect and fair opportunity. It’s about recognizing that young women who earn scholarships, train like pros, and represent their schools deserve more than secondhand gear and empty stands.
And yet, every year, the NCAA proves it: equity is optional — if you’re a woman.
The disparity isn’t just unacceptable — it’s disgraceful. And it’s time for a full-blown reckoning.