“Her commitment to winning in all aspects of life — in the classroom, on the court, and in the community — is unparalleled,” LSU said as they welcomed the Hall of Fame coach in hopes of instilling the championship culture. She was at it in less than 3 years. By the 2023 season’s end, Kim Mulkey had four NCAA Division I championships to her name (three with Baylor and one with LSU), making her the only coach to win them across multiple programs as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.
But deep down, what motivates the powerhouse? And more so, how much does someone like Kim Mulkey get paid to accomplish all that she has?
What is Kim Mulkey’s contract with the LSU Tigers? How long is the deal?
Kim Mulkey was awarded a historic contract extension after she had led LSU to the program’s first national championship in 2023. The accomplished coach became the highest-paid women’s basketball coach in the nation in September 2023 after putting pen to paper on a 10-year, $32 million deal with LSU— running through June 2033.
The details of the contract are perhaps just as stunning as Mulkey’s coaching resume. Mulkey’s base salary will be $400,000 throughout the entirety of the 10 years. Where the contract really earns the money is through supplemental income.
In the first year of the deal, Mulkey’s supplemental pay was $2.75 million. That number, when combined with her base, saw Mulkey earn $3.15 million during the 2023-24 athletic year. As the years go on, that number rises by $100,000 in supplemental pay each year, and by the end of her deal, she would be earning a total of $4.05 million in base and supplemental compensation combined.
What’s more interesting about this deal? The buy-out clauses. If LSU were to fire her without cause, the university would owe her a $2 million buyout. Or if Mulkey were to leave LSU before the contract expires, she’d have to do so with a $2 million buyout to the university.
Credit: Imagn
Before this deal, the richest contracts in women’s college basketball belonged to UConn’s Geno Auriemma and South Carolina’s Dawn Staley, who earned about $2.9 million and about $2.7 million a year, respectively. This contract allows Mulkey to not only leapfrog them, but also to earn more than LSU’s men’s basketball coach, Matt McMahon, whose salary is $2.9 million.
How much will Kim Mulkey earn in the 2024-25 NCAA season?
Kim Mulkey is projected to see a minor increase in her salary in the 2024-25 NCAA season. In January 2025, Mulkey’s salary was estimated to sit in the range of $3.26 million.
Mulkey’s deal isn’t just limited to her salary, though. The contract comes with an array of additional perks, including an allowance of 16 tickets to all LSU women’s basketball home games, a country club membership, a $1,000-a-month automobile allowance and an $80,000-per-year personal travel allowance. That’s on top of her standard salary and the bonuses make Mulkey’s deal one of the richest in the NCAA.
What was Kim Mulkey’s previous contract with the LSU Tigers?
Ahead of signing this massive 10-year extension, Mulkey’s original contract with LSU was an eight-year deal worth a total of $22.5 million — exclusive of incentives. Mulkey signed this deal when she departed Baylor for LSU in 2021. At the time, she earned a base salary of $400,000 per year, as the bulk of her pay came from supplemental compensation and media participation.
Her original deal included other forms of compensation, such as an $80,000 yearly personal travel allowance, $60,000 in sponsor-related compensation and multiple bonuses for milestones like reaching the NCAA tournament or winning SEC titles. But stacked up against her current contract? The new deal earns her more than tripled the amount.
What is Kim Mulkey’s net worth in 2025?
In 2024, Kim Mulkey’s net worth was estimated to be around $12 million. The huge financial haul reflects two decades of successful coaching runs, multiple championships at Baylor and LSU. Prior to arriving at Baton Rouge, Mulkey reportedly amassed a total of approximately $10 million in earnings as a coach for Louisiana Tech and Baylor. However, the head coach’s fortunes have changed significantly since.
Kim Mulkey’s journey in college basketball has been characterized by her dedication, love for the sport, and perseverance. Her salary and net worth are a testament to her success both on and off the court, making her one of the richest figures in NCAA sports. Clearly, her winning story on the court and at the bank is just getting started.
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