March Madness just got a lot more thrilling — and historic. For the first time ever, UCLA enters the women’s NCAA Tournament as the top overall seed, leading a fiery group of No. 1s that also includes South Carolina, USC, and Texas. As the bracket was unveiled on Sunday night, fans got a glimpse at one of the most unpredictable and electrifying tournaments in recent memory.

The Bruins’ rise to the top is monumental. With just two losses all season — both against fellow No. 1 seed USC — UCLA secured its historic No. 1 ranking through consistent dominance and a résumé strong enough to edge out perennial powerhouse South Carolina. The Gamecocks, coached by Dawn Staley, may have fallen short of the top spot, but they’re still on a mission to become the first back-to-back champions since UConn’s four-peat from 2013 to 2016.

Staley made her thoughts clear: “We manufactured our schedule to be the No. 1 overall seed.” But the selection committee, led by Derita Dawkins, pointed to a head-to-head loss to UCLA and a damaging 29-point defeat to UConn as decisive factors. Still, South Carolina’s 30-3 record and recent SEC Tournament title make them a serious threat heading into March.

USC’s JuJu Watkins has also become a name to watch, powering the Trojans to a No. 1 seed and setting up a potential Sweet 16 showdown against UConn’s Paige Bueckers, who’s looking to lead the Huskies back to the Final Four. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb wasn’t shy about her thoughts on the seeding either, stating, “I never thought I’d be a 1-seed and feel disrespected.”

The seeding reflects a season of rare parity in women’s basketball, with no undefeated teams in the tournament — only the second time that’s happened in nearly two decades. Big Ten newcomers UCLA and USC are now not only changing conference dynamics but also chasing the Big Ten’s first women’s national title since Purdue’s lone win in 1999.

Other major headlines include the Ivy League making history with three teams in the bracket — Princeton, Columbia, and Harvard — and William & Mary earning its first-ever NCAA appearance despite a 15-18 record. Meanwhile, longtime contenders like Stanford were shockingly left out, ending their 36-year tournament streak.

But this year’s tournament won’t just be about glory — it’ll bring real financial rewards to women’s teams for the first time ever. With the introduction of performance units — the same revenue structure used in the men’s game — each tournament win can bring in big dollars. A Final Four run could be worth $1.26 million to a team’s conference over the next three years.

With regional rounds set in Spokane and Birmingham, and the Final Four tipping off in Tampa on April 4, the stage is set for drama, redemption, and possible history. And if last year’s championship — which drew more viewers than the men’s final — is any indicator, this tournament is one fans simply cannot miss.

Lindsay Gottlieb, the esteemed head coach of the USC Trojans women’s basketball team, has turned her passion and coaching brilliance into a substantial financial footprint. As of 2025, her net worth is estimated at around $2 million USD, a figure that reflects her long-standing success across collegiate and professional basketball

Gottlieb’s journey to financial prominence began with her early coaching years at UC Santa Barbara, followed by a remarkable tenure at the University of California, Berkeley, where she led Cal to its inaugural Final Four appearance in 2013 . Her career then ascended further through an NBA assistant coaching role with the Cleveland Cavaliers, before taking the helm at USC in 2021

In April 2024, Gottlieb solidified her value to USC with a six-year contract extension through the 2029–30 season — a deal rumored to be worth approximately $7.5 million in total, including an annual salary of $1 million, with scheduled raises of $100,000 per year . This level of compensation places her among the highest-paid coaches in women’s college basketball.

Her financial growth is rooted in consistent performance: Gottlieb led the Trojans to their first Elite Eight appearance in 30 years, secured Pac‑12 Tournament titles, and guided USC to its first-ever No. 1 NCAA seed — achievements that not only bolster her résumé but also translate into performance bonuses and elevated market value

What stands out about Lindsay Gottlieb is her ability to blend strategic vision with financial reward. By securing top results and negotiating landmark contracts, she exemplifies how coaching excellence can indeed lead to long-term wealth and influence in the sports world.

Paige Bueckers, the electrifying point guard for the Dallas Wings and former UConn standout, is proving that college – and early pro – fame can build a fortune before sneakers even hit the shelf. As of 2025, her estimated net worth ranges from $1.4 million to $1.5 million USD, making her one of women’s basketball’s early multi-millionaires

The lion’s share of her wealth comes from a stellar lineup of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals throughout her college career at UConn. Reports estimate her NIL portfolio at $1.4 million for the 2024–25 season alone . Her backers include powerhouse brands like Nike, Gatorade, Bose, CeraVe, Chegg, Verizon, Panini, Dunkin’, and others

In a landmark achievement, Paige became the first college athlete to design a signature Nike Player Edition basketball shoe, the G.T. Hustle 3 — a level of influence usually reserved for NBA stars . The shoe’s release even topped NIL Store sales, proving her commercial appeal goes far beyond the court

Though her four-year WNBA rookie contract guarantees only around $348,000, her NIL earnings far outweigh that sum . In fact, her rookie salary is modest compared to her endorsements — a sign of the evolving landscape for female athletes.

On top of that, Paige signed a three-year deal with the emerging Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, with her first-year earnings set to exceed her entire WNBA rookie contract, adding another impressive revenue stream

Her social media presence — 2.1 million followers on Instagram and 3.3 million on TikTok — adds to her marketability and explains why she ranks among the top female NIL earners

At just 23 years old, Paige Bueckers has not only rewritten the financial playbook for women’s basketball, she’s stacking her net worth even before making her mark in the WNBA. With new deals and her pro career ahead, her wealth is expected to climb well into the multi–million-dollar range in the coming years.