Title IX in College Athletics: Understanding Equal Opportunities, Funding, and Rights

Title IX is the federal law that requires schools to provide equal athletic opportunities to men and women. It doesn’t mean that every sport gets the same budget or number of scholarships, but it does mean that overall treatment, resources, and opportunities must be equitable. This includes matters like funding, facilities, coaching, medical care, travel, recruitment, and publicity.

Why do the men’s teams get more resources and funding than we do?

Title IX requires schools to provide equal opportunities and benefits to male and female athletes based on overall enrollment numbers at the institution, not necessarily identical dollars or resources. Funding can differ depending on the number of athletes and the type of sport, but the overall investment must be proportional to enrollment and nondiscriminatory. Inequities can be challenged if they reflect gender bias rather than legitimate program needs.

If you see consistent inequities –  for example, inferior facilities, less travel support, or lower-quality medical coverage compared to men’s teams – those could be grounds to raise a Title IX concern. The law looks at the totality of treatment, not just one category.

What if my school cuts my team — is that a Title IX violation?

Cutting a team could be a Title IX issue if your school is not maintaining equal athletic opportunities for men and women proportionate to the overall enrollment percentages. If the cut creates or worsens gender disparities without valid reasons, you may have grounds to challenge the decision under Title IX.

The key is proportionality: athletic opportunities offered to men and women should reflect the overall enrollment at the institution. If a cut changes that balance in unequal ways, it could be challenged under Title IX.

Can I challenge my school for not promoting women’s sports the same way?

Yes. Schools have to provide equal treatment in areas beyond just budgets and scholarships. This includes publicity, media relations, marketing, recruiting, and game scheduling. If men’s teams get featured in promotional campaigns, livestreams, or social media coverage while women’s teams are overlooked, that could constitute unequal treatment.

Schools often claim limited resources or bigger fan bases for men’s sports, but Title IX still requires equivalent support across teams. Athletes can bring attention to disparities in advertising, event promotion, or media exposure as valid inequity claims.