Women's basketball teams finally will be paid for playing games in the NCAA Tournament each March just like the men have for years under a plan approved Wednesday at the NCAA convention. The unanimous vote by NCAA membership was met by a round of applause both inside the ballroom and around the sport.

The association needs a new governance structure to accommodate the more professionalized parts of the NCAA’s membership.

NCAA members unanimously voted to introduce financial rewards — as it has for years with the men's tournament — starting this spring.