Geno Auriemma, the legendary coach of UConn women’s basketball, has been a pivotal figure in the sport since 1985. His arrival at UConn lined up with the post-Title IX era, a time when female athletes were finally getting real opportunities.
But Auriemma now thinks the promises of Title IX are slipping away in today’s world of NIL deals and revenue-sharing. This shift brings up some tough questions about where gender equity in athletics is headed.
The Evolution of Title IX and Its Impact on Women’s Sports
Title IX, passed in 1972, was a landmark law that banned sex-based discrimination in any educational program getting federal funds. For sports, this meant schools had to share scholarships and resources more fairly.
Since then, Title IX has helped level the playing field for female athletes. Participation and success in women’s sports have both shot up.
Title IX’s Initial Promises
At first, Title IX zeroed in on making sure female athletes got a fair share of scholarships. That was huge—it opened doors that just weren’t there before.
Suddenly, there was a boom in women’s athletic participation and the rise of competitive programs nationwide.
The Shift to NIL and Revenue Sharing
Everything changed in 2021 after a unanimous Supreme Court decision in NCAA v. Alston. Student-athletes could now profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
That was a massive break from the old amateurism rules. Fast forward three years, and the NCAA started letting schools pay athletes directly—up to $20.5 million a year, no less.
This new reality set off a debate: Should Title IX require equal revenue-sharing for men and women? Near the end of President Joe Biden’s term, the Department of Education said these payments counted as “financial assistance” and should be proportional between male and female athletes.
But that guidance got tossed out under the Trump administration in February 2025. So, things are murky at best.
Current Challenges in Achieving Gender Equity
With revenue sharing kicking in for the 2025-26 season, the numbers aren’t looking great for women. Front Office Sports reports that 85% of revenue-sharing dollars are going to football and men’s basketball players.
Meanwhile, women’s basketball is getting just 8%. That gap is hard to ignore.
Auriemma’s Perspective
Geno Auriemma hasn’t been shy about his worries. He says the spirit of Title IX isn’t being honored like it used to be.
“I think that Title IX legislation over the last couple of years is pretty much out the window,” Auriemma said. “I’m sure there are some schools that are trying really hard to stay with that in terms of numbers, you know, 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.”
The Future of Title IX
Where does Title IX go from here, especially with NIL and revenue sharing in the mix? Some schools might still push for fair funding and support for women’s sports.
But right now, the gap between male and female athletes seems to be growing. It’s hard not to wonder if new rules will be needed to keep things fair for everyone.
Conclusion
Title IX started out focusing on fair scholarships for everyone. Now, with NIL deals and revenue sharing in the mix, it’s a whole new ballgame.
Female athletes have more chances these days, sure, but there’s still a real gap in the money and resources they get. Geno Auriemma’s take? He thinks the financial side of college sports might be getting in the way of what Title IX was supposed to do.
Honestly, the fight for gender equity in sports isn’t over. Maybe it’ll take more advocacy—or even some new rules—to make sure every athlete gets a fair shot.
If you’re curious about what else Auriemma had to say about Title IX, NIL, and revenue sharing, check out the full article on the Connecticut Post.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
