Kim Mulkey Rejects Massive $20.5 Million NBA Offer, Reaffirms Commitment to LSU Women’s Basketball

Kim Mulkey Rejects Massive $20.5 Million NBA Offer, Reaffirms Commitment to LSU Women’s Basketball

Introduction

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the world of college basketball, Kim Mulkey, the head coach of the LSU Tigers women’s basketball team, has made it clear that her future lies in Baton Rouge, not in the NBA. Despite receiving a staggering $20.5 million offer from both the Tennessee Volunteers and Notre Dame to leave LSU for an NBA coaching job, Mulkey stunned the basketball world with her decision to stay with the Tigers. Her bold declaration, “I have no plans beyond being the LSU women’s basketball head coach,” has put to rest any rumors about her departure, cementing her status as one of the most powerful and respected figures in women’s sports.

Mulkey’s decision is particularly significant given the magnitude of the offer. At $20.5 million, this would have been one of the largest contracts ever offered to a women’s basketball coach, and it would have placed her in the rarefied air of NBA coaching salaries, aligning her with the likes of some of the highest-paid NBA coaches. But for Mulkey, her loyalty to LSU, her pride in her accomplishments, and her belief in the future of women’s college basketball proved stronger than any monetary offer.

This article will delve into Kim Mulkey’s career, her monumental impact on LSU women’s basketball, the nature of the NBA offer, and why Mulkey’s decision is a game-changer for both LSU and the broader landscape of women’s sports.

Kim Mulkey’s Coaching Legacy

Kim Mulkey’s legacy as a basketball coach is unparalleled in the women’s game. From her playing days to her coaching career, Mulkey has been a force to be reckoned with. She played college basketball at Louisiana Tech, where she won national championships as a player and laid the foundation for her future as a coach. After a stellar playing career, she transitioned to coaching, quickly making her mark as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech before landing the head coaching job at Baylor University.

At Baylor, Mulkey became one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history. Under her leadership, Baylor emerged as a dominant force in women’s college basketball, capturing three national championships (2005, 2012, 2019). Mulkey’s ability to develop talent, recruit elite players, and consistently win at the highest level solidified her as one of the premier coaches in the sport.

In 2021, Mulkey made a high-profile move to LSU, taking over a Tigers program that was in need of revitalization. In her first year at LSU, she immediately transformed the team into a national contender, leading the Tigers to the NCAA tournament and setting the stage for what many believe will be a long and successful tenure in Baton Rouge. Mulkey’s impact on LSU women’s basketball has been profound, both on and off the court. Her fiery competitive spirit, unmatched work ethic, and ability to build a championship-caliber program have made LSU one of the top programs in the country.

The NBA Offer: A Game-Changing Proposal

Given Mulkey’s success at Baylor and LSU, it’s no surprise that her name would be floated as a potential NBA candidate. The NBA has seen a rise in the number of women hired as assistant coaches in recent years, with figures like Becky Hammon (formerly of the San Antonio Spurs) and current Boston Celtics assistant coach Kara Lawson making strides. However, the offer Mulkey received was not for an assistant coaching role; it was for the head coach position, a role that would have made Mulkey the highest-paid woman in NBA history by far.

Reports indicate that the $20.5 million offer came from a combination of two major programs: the Tennessee Volunteers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Both programs, in desperate need of a head coach after underperforming in recent seasons, were willing to break the bank to bring Mulkey to their respective teams. The offer was considered not only one of the most lucrative in women’s basketball history but also one of the highest ever proposed to a coach in general. If Mulkey had accepted, she would have been earning a salary rivaling that of top NBA head coaches, many of whom make around $10 million per year.

For a coach like Mulkey, who has spent her entire career in women’s basketball, this offer represented not just a significant financial windfall but an opportunity to step onto the NBA stage — a dream that many coaches in women’s sports aspire to achieve. The NBA has historically been a male-dominated league, but Mulkey’s potential as a trailblazer could have been a game-changing moment for women in sports.

Despite the incredible financial and professional appeal of the offer, Mulkey made it clear that her heart was still firmly planted at LSU. “I have no plans beyond being the LSU women’s basketball head coach,” Mulkey stated in her announcement, effectively putting an end to any speculation about her departure.

Mulkey’s Commitment to LSU: Why She Stayed

While the financial reward of the $20.5 million offer was certainly enticing, Mulkey’s decision to reject it and remain at LSU speaks to her deep connection with the program, the culture she is building, and her love for coaching young women. Her decision reflects a number of key factors:

1. Building a Legacy at LSU

When Kim Mulkey took over as LSU’s head coach in 2021, she inherited a program that was far from the elite status she had built at Baylor. However, her immediate impact was evident, as she guided the Tigers to an NCAA tournament berth in her first season and has steadily built the program into a national powerhouse. Mulkey is in the early stages of what many expect to be a legendary tenure at LSU, and leaving now would have meant abandoning the potential to elevate the program to even greater heights.

Mulkey’s vision for LSU women’s basketball extends far beyond just winning games; she aims to build a sustainable, long-term powerhouse that will continue to compete for national titles. The opportunity to shape the future of a storied program and leave a lasting legacy at LSU is likely a key factor in her decision to remain in Baton Rouge.

2. The Women’s Game

Mulkey has long been a vocal advocate for women’s sports, and she has dedicated her career to promoting and advancing women’s basketball. The women’s college game is at an exciting crossroads, with increased visibility, better compensation for players, and growing fan interest. Mulkey’s commitment to the women’s game is a major reason she may have chosen to stay at LSU.

The chance to continue mentoring young women, recruiting top talent, and contributing to the growth of the women’s game may have been more appealing to Mulkey than the opportunity to coach men in the NBA. Her belief in the importance of women’s sports and her dedication to empowering female athletes could very well have played a significant role in her decision to reject the NBA offer.

3. Her Family and Community at LSU

Another reason Mulkey may have turned down the NBA offer is her deep ties to LSU, both professionally and personally. After decades of building her career at Baylor, Mulkey’s decision to come to LSU was a significant life change. She quickly became ingrained in the LSU community, building strong relationships with players, staff, and alumni. Additionally, her family ties to Louisiana, where she was born and raised, likely made LSU feel like home.

The loyalty and bond she has with her players is also undeniable. Mulkey has cultivated a culture of accountability, discipline, and support at LSU, and her players thrive in the environment she has created. For Mulkey, staying at LSU means continuing to work with the athletes she has helped develop and the staff she has carefully selected to build a championship-caliber team.

4. A Strong Foundation for the Future

Lastly, Mulkey’s decision to stay at LSU reflects the strong foundation she has laid for the future of the program. With a talented roster and a rising recruiting class, the LSU Tigers are poised to compete for national championships in the coming years. Mulkey’s ability to build a winning culture and sustain success is evident, and the opportunity to continue that work may have outweighed the lure of a potentially career-defining challenge in the NBA.

The Impact on LSU and Women’s Basketball

Kim Mulkey’s decision to stay at LSU is not just a huge win for the Tigers but also a monumental statement for the entire women’s basketball community. In rejecting the NBA’s enormous offer, Mulkey has sent a message that the women’s college game is not only thriving but also deserves to be supported and celebrated at the highest levels. Her decision to remain at LSU is a testament to her belief in the future of women’s sports and her dedication to helping her players achieve success on and off the court.

LSU women’s basketball is poised to benefit immensely from Mulkey’s continued leadership. With her coaching pedigree, her experience in winning championships, and her commitment to player development, the Tigers are in excellent hands as they continue to build toward future success. The addition of top recruits, the development of rising stars, and the continued success of LSU in the SEC and on the national stage seem inevitable under Mulkey’s guidance.