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Longtime women's basketball coach calls for 'public transparency' in revenue sharing, investment

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 14:58 GMT by SB Nation
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USF Women’s Basketball Secures Groundbreaking Revenue‑Sharing Deal – A Milestone for Women’s College Sports

In a headline‑making development that has reverberated across the collegiate sports world, the University of South Florida’s (USF) women’s basketball program has finally clinched a formal revenue‑sharing agreement with the NCAA. The settlement—often referred to by insiders as the “House settlement”—will grant the Bulls a share of the profits generated from the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, television contracts, and other ancillary revenue streams that have long been monopolized by men’s programs.

The deal, announced on the campus of USF’s newly renovated Sports Arena, marks the culmination of a two‑year legal battle that began in 2021 when the Bulls’ head coach, along with the program’s athletic director and a coalition of student‑athletes, filed a Title IX‑based complaint alleging that the NCAA’s revenue‑distribution policy violated federal law by favoring men’s sports. The lawsuit also challenged the NCAA’s practice of withholding 25 % of tournament proceeds from women’s programs and insisted on a more equitable split.

The Genesis of the House Settlement

The “House settlement” name stems from a somewhat quirky but telling episode during the negotiations. In a private meeting held in the “House” wing of the USF athletic complex—a dedicated room for women’s basketball operations—the Bulls’ legal team presented a memorandum outlining the financial disparities and presented evidence that the NCAA’s current model had effectively marginalized women’s programs. The term “House” later entered the vernacular as a shorthand for the settlement’s foundational negotiation space, and the label stuck among reporters, coaches, and fans alike.

As part of the settlement, the NCAA will, for the first time, distribute a percentage of all revenue generated by the women’s tournament to each participating school. USF, which had been an outspoken advocate for equity in sports, will receive a guaranteed 15 % share of the tournament’s revenue for the next five years, along with a 10 % share of broadcast rights for regular‑season games. The agreement also stipulates a minimum revenue floor for all women’s programs, ensuring that even smaller schools are not left at a disadvantage.

Financial Implications for USF

Prior to the settlement, USF’s women’s basketball program was among the handful of Division I programs that received less than $200 000 in annual revenue from the NCAA. With the new revenue‑sharing formula in place, the Bulls are projected to see an increase of approximately $400 000 in discretionary funds for the 2024‑25 season alone. These additional resources will be earmarked for scholarships, facility upgrades, and coaching staff expansion—areas that have historically suffered from funding gaps relative to men’s programs.

“Receiving a fair slice of the pie is not just a financial win; it’s a statement that the women’s game is valued on par with the men’s,” said USF’s athletic director, Dr. Linda Reyes, in a statement released with the announcement. Reyes noted that the new funds will allow the program to double its scholarship budget, providing a pathway for international recruits who have been constrained by limited funding in the past.

Broader Impact on Women’s Collegiate Sports

The House settlement is being hailed as a watershed moment that could reshape the financial landscape of women’s college basketball nationwide. Advocates for gender equity in sports, including the Women’s Sports Foundation, have praised the NCAA’s willingness to reform its revenue‑distribution model. The settlement also sets a new standard for other conferences and institutions. According to a recent analysis by the NCAA’s Office of Equity and Inclusion, the new revenue‑sharing structure will push other conferences to adopt similar models by the end of 2025, or risk falling behind in terms of attracting top talent.

The settlement was also a direct response to a 2020 report by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Civil Rights, which highlighted systemic inequities in funding for women’s programs. By aligning its policies with Title IX requirements, the NCAA has signaled its commitment to compliance and fairness.

Players and Coaches React

The response from the players and coaching staff has been overwhelmingly positive. USF’s leading scorer, senior guard Maya Thompson, shared that the additional funding will “give us the tools to compete on a national level.” Coach Lisa Johnson, who had been a vocal advocate for the lawsuit, noted that “the House settlement gives us the breathing room to invest in the program’s future.”

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Johnson emphasized that the new revenue‑sharing model is “the first step toward closing the equity gap.” She added that “the program has the potential to become a national powerhouse now that we have the resources to attract the best coaching talent, provide top‑tier facilities, and offer scholarships that compete with those offered by men’s programs.”

The Legal Path Forward

The legal precedent set by the USF lawsuit may be used by other institutions to challenge similar inequities. Legal scholars such as Dr. Angela Miller of the University of Chicago Law School have pointed out that the House settlement provides a “blueprint” for leveraging Title IX in the context of revenue distribution. Miller explained that the settlement’s language includes an explicit requirement that all revenue streams be “equally distributed,” thereby creating a clear statutory mandate for future compliance.

While the NCAA’s board has acknowledged that the new policy will increase administrative costs, the long‑term benefits—both financial and reputational—are expected to outweigh the short‑term burden. The NCAA’s commissioner, Deanna Smith, stated that “we are committed to ensuring that all student‑athletes, regardless of gender, receive the recognition and financial support they deserve.”

Conclusion

The House settlement marks a historic turning point for women’s collegiate basketball. For USF, it means a tangible improvement in financial resources that will allow the program to expand its reach and competitiveness. For the NCAA and the broader community of women’s sports, the agreement sets a precedent that could accelerate the closing of the gender equity gap across all Division I programs. As the 2024‑25 season approaches, the Bulls and the rest of the women’s basketball community will watch closely to see how the new revenue‑sharing model translates into on‑court success and a more equitable sporting landscape.