January 8, 2024
Locked on Women’s Basketball: Big changes and big moves in the Big 12
By The Next
Missy Heidrick provides an update to the Big 12's shakeups and analyzes the new NCAA television deal with ESPN
On the latest episode of Locked on Women’s Basketball, Missy Heidrick dives into the changes tearing through the Big 12, reminding us who is still perfect, who’s undefeated, and who needs to get back on track to remain competitive. Missy also examines the NCAA’s new television deal and what it will mean for women’s college ball going forward.
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In one week, the Big 12 went from containing four undefeated teams to just one – the Baylor Bears. While Missy reminds listeners to “keep [your] eyes on Baylor,” she also reminds listeners that the Big 12 still houses three teams who are undefeated in Big 12 play – Kansas State, Iowa State, and Oklahoma, and “their stocks are continuing to rise.” And as schools close in on tournament season, teams like TCU and and West Virginia are going to have to find their footing to make it as far as they hope to go.
Later on, Missy introduces listeners to the NCAA-ESPN television deal conversation. The agreement, which includes the rights to 21 women’s championships and 19 men’s championships, will “benefit women’s basketball on campuses across the country,” Missy argues. However, could women’s basketball have stood alone? That type of scenario could be possible in the future, but, as Missy informs listeners, “it was ultimately decided by the NCAA that bundling women’s basketball with the other championships was the best deal” in financial terms, and the best opportunity for increasing airtime for the sport.
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