Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, committed $2,478,987 to women’s basketball teams in 2024, which was $1,735,317 higher than the state average of $743,670, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
This figure made up 8.1% of the institution’s total athletics expenditures for 2024.
Overall sports spending at Grand Canyon University has risen by 332.5% since 2010.
Basketball is among the most popular collegiate sports in the country, along with football. Major NCAA programs draw audiences and television ratings that often compete with those of NBA games. Events such as March Madness routinely attract millions of viewers across the nation.
College sports reached a turning point in athlete compensation after a federal settlement enabled schools to share revenue directly with players. The resolution also stipulates the NCAA will pay athletes $2.8 billion in back damages over 10 years for participants from 2016 onward.
In 2022, athletes won the ability to earn income from their names, images and likenesses via changes in state laws and NCAA policies following extended advocacy and legal debate.
The NCAA earned about $900 million in revenue from March Madness and related Division I men’s basketball tournament media rights during fiscal year 2024, underscoring basketball as its largest single source of income.
| Year | Basketball team’s expenditures | % from grand total sport team expenditures |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $1,698,563 | 7.3% |
| 2021 | $1,575,971 | 6.7% |
| 2022 | $2,387,786 | 8.2% |
| 2023 | $2,509,736 | 8.2% |
| 2024 | $2,478,987 | 8.1% |
Information for this article comes from the U.S. Department of Education. Additional data can be accessed here.
