A new proposal to start the women’s basketball season days earlier than the men’s season could amplify the growing spotlight on the women’s game.
The NCAA’s men’s and women’s basketball oversight committees have proposed starting the women’s basketball season on the Monday that falls 22 weeks before the women’s Final Four each season, two days before the start of the men’s season, beginning with the 2025-26 campaign. With the women beginning their season on a Monday and the men commencing their season on a Wednesday, the women’s game would “have increased marketing and promotional opportunities contributing to elevation of the sport at a campus level,” per the NCAA’s release Wednesday.
The change would also help both sports avoid conflicts with Election Day and provide more flexibility for TV windows and venue demands.
The start date and length of the practice season currently varies between 21 and 22 weeks for men’s and women’s basketball, both of which start their seasons each year on the same day.
If the Division I Council approves the change in October, the first game for women’s basketball…
