Degree to host largest NCAA Women's Bracket Challenge

A lot of new wrinkles for those following the 2022 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship.

68 teams.

Actually calling it the "Women's Final Four."

Same perks and ammenities onsite as the men have enjoyed for years.

And a huge "Bracket Challenge."

Degree® - the world's No. 1 antiperspirant brand is launching the 'Bracket Gap Challenge,' one of the largest women's basketball bracket promotions in history, to help raise awareness for the NCAA® Women's tournament. Following a recent study from Degree® showing that only 12% of people filled out an NCAA® Women's tournament bracket last year,* the Brand is encouraging fans to fill out a women's bracket and follow the games, aiming to give the women's tournament the recognition it deserves.

This March Madness®, Degree® and 2x-WNBA Champion and 2x-NCAA® Champion Candace Parker are pushing the fight for gender equity to center court with one of the biggest women’s bracket promotions EVER. Introducing the #BracketGapChallenge.

This March Madness®, Degree® and 2x-WNBA Champion and 2x-NCAA® Champion Candace Parker are pushing the fight for gender equity to center court with one of the biggest women’s bracket promotions EVER. Introducing the #BracketGapChallenge.

Degree® has partnered with 2x-WNBA Champion and 2x-NCAA® Champion Candace Parker, a well-known voice in sports equity, for the #BracketGapChallenge.

Degree® has partnered with 2x-WNBA Champion and 2x-NCAA® Champion Candace Parker, a well-known voice in sports equity, for the #BracketGapChallenge.

While society continues to make strides in elevating women's athletics, the goal of the Bracket Gap Challenge is to draw more attention to the women's game and in turn, help drive even more promotion, attendance, and funding.

As part of the brand's efforts, Degree® has partnered with two-time WNBA Champion and two-time NCAA® Champion, Candace Parker, a well-known voice in sports equity. Candace will encourage fans to fill out a Women's March Madness® Tournament bracket at BracketGapChallenge.com, which will be live following the release of the women's tournament schedule on Selection Sunday® (March 13) and will close before the start of the first game on Friday, March 18.

"As a longtime advocate of equitable investment, I've seen that opportunity is a key driver to equality – and there is no opportunity without visibility," said Candace Parker, two-time WNBA Champion and two-time NCAA® Champion. "I'm proud to team up with Degree® for the Bracket Gap Challenge to give women's college basketball that increased visibility by urging fans to fill out a women's bracket and follow this year's tournament. Together, we'll drive conversation and hype that will ultimately help level the playing field when it comes to sports."

Candace stars in an energizing female-directed video, "Brackets 101," that sheds light on the issue of gender equity in college basketball and encourages fans to get involved by participating in Degree's challenge. Within, Parker says, "There's no such thing as a 'bracket' anymore, this March Madness®, there's only 'brackets.'" The video can be viewed here.

"Investment in women's athletics has come a long way over the last few years, but we're not done advocating for equity yet," said Desi Okeke, Director of Degree® NA. "We know that more-engaged fans ultimately leads to more recognition for the athletes, and the hope is that the Degree® Bracket Gap Challenge will help raise awareness for the next generation of women's college basketball players and motivate girls across the country to stay in the game."

To incentivize participation, a winner will be randomly selected from the top 10% of entrants, and will receive $25,000 for themselves and a $75,000 donation in their name, funded by Degree®, to the women's athletic program of their choice. The donation will support the women's team in securing necessary resources to expand their program, and can be used for equipment, facilities, training or however else that program sees fit.

The 'Bracket Gap Challenge' campaign is part of Degree's larger brand mission to inspire the confidence to break barriers. Degree® has committed more than $5 million over the next five years to inspire more people to move beyond their limits as part of its broader global Breaking Limits program. This program supports those who face the biggest barriers to being active – whether those barriers are due to race, sexual orientation, ability level, gender, age and more - and provides them access to coaches and mentors, along with safe spaces to move. The program is meant to support the brand's long-term commitment to help millions of young people transform their lives through the power of movement by 2030.

Unilever, parent company of Degree®, is an official corporate partner of March Madness®.

Visit BracketGapChallenge.com to help support gender equity in sports, one bracket at a time. To learn more, view the campaign film here and follow #BracketGapChallenge on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.