UCLA Bruins, South Carolina Gamecocks to compete in 2025 Players Era Women’s Championship
The UCLA Bruins and South Carolina Gamecocks are set to compete in the inaugural Players Era Women’s Championship in 2025 alongside the Duke Blue Devils and Texas Longhorns.
Scheduled to take place over three days during Thanksgiving week, the newly constituted competition promises to offer quality basketball and lucrative exposure for college athletes.
A trial edition involving eight men’s college teams proved a success in November and is to be expanded to include 18 teams next year.
Sports New Blitz writer Shameeka Voyiya reports on the story.
Ground-breaking event
The tournament will give players the chance to earn at least $1 million in name, image & likeness (NIL) opportunities.
NIL is increasingly a manner in which college athletes and their teams can profit from personal brands and endorsements.
In terms of format, a round-robin phase sees all teams face each other before the Championship winner is crowned based on the overall record.
“Players Era is creating the first-ever tentpole women’s college basketball MTE [multi-team event] with an unbelievably loaded field and fascinating storylines, [plus] early season match-ups that are sure to set the tone for the rest of the season,” said Players Era CEO Seth Berger.
“Our women’s championship includes the same level of guaranteed NIL opportunities for the players as the men’s championship.”
The women’s event will be held concurrently with the men’s Players Era Championship.
READ MORE: UCLA Bruins take first-ever top spot in USA Today women’s college basketball rankings
High-quality basketball on offer
Each of the four women’s teams is currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, with UCLA at No.1, South Carolina at No.2, Texas at No.6, and Duke at No.9.
“We’re excited to be among the first women’s teams invited to play in the Players Era Women’s Championship,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said in a statement after the news broke.
“This innovative event brings together everything we’re looking for – quality games early in the season, a great location for fans to come and enjoy, and NIL opportunities for our players.”
As an indication of what is to come, UCLA went head-to-head with South Carolina in an enthralling game in November, with the Bruins triumphing 77-62 to claim top spot in the rankings for the first time.
“As a program striving to consistently compete at a championship level, it’s essential to measure ourselves against the best,” said UCLA coach Cori Close.
“We’re excited for a rematch with South Carolina and the opportunity to compete against other exceptional programs at the Player’s Era Women’s Championship.
“This will be the premier out-of-conference tournament with a national audience to boot. It is a great honour to be included in this elite event.”
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