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File #: 210348    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 4/15/2021 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 4/22/2021
Title: Calling on the National Collegiate Athletic Association to reevaluate its policies and practices related to gender equity; and to implement steps to close gender gaps in all sports and divisions.
Sponsors: Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Henon, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Domb, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Gym
Attachments: 1. Resolution No. 21034800, 2. Signature21034800
Title
Calling on the National Collegiate Athletic Association to reevaluate its policies and practices related to gender equity; and to implement steps to close gender gaps in all sports and divisions.

Body
WHEREAS, In 2013, an exhaustive report, known as the "Division I Women's Basketball White Paper," was compiled by Val Ackerman to address the state of women's basketball for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The report details concerns and recommendations from those interviewed over a six month period. However, since 2013, the NCAA has failed to address many of these issues; and

WHEREAS, Earlier this month, a video posted by Oregon forward Sedona Prince, along with other pictures and videos on social media, exposed stark differences between the quality of weight-training facilities in San Antonio for women's basketball teams, and those in Indianapolis for the men's basketball championship; and

WHEREAS, Prince's video amassed millions of views, as well as attention from NBA players like Steph Curry and United States senators like Chris Murphy, sparking outrage and leading the NCAA to apologize and provide more resources to women's teams, such as improved weight-training facilities and a website dedicated to addressing gender inequity; and

WHEREAS, Further disparities in this year's tournaments, such as the swag-bags for men's and women's teams, branding of March Madness, food options available, and the type of COVID-19 testing being done for men and women, have been highlighted, as well as the poor playing conditions and lack of media coverage of the NCAA women's volleyball tournament; and

WHEREAS, Because the NCAA is not a public institution, it is not subject to Title IX rules. However, the NCAA has also failed to meet its own standard of conduct according to its constitution regarding gender equity; and

WHEREAS, The governance structure of the NCAA is very convoluted, and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, which is suppos...

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