Dawn Staley’s Record-Breaking Contract & Gamecocks’ March Madness Dominance
With March Madness in full swing and brackets locked in, many fans likely have South Carolina’s women’s basketball team penciled in for another NCAA Championship. As the Gamecocks head into their 11th straight Sweet Sixteen, it’s hard to bet against them—especially with Coach Dawn Staley leading the way with her signature poise under pressure.
South Carolina is all in on Staley, recently extending her contract through 2029-30, making her the highest-paid coach in women’s college basketball history with a deal worth $25.25 million. Athletic Director Jeremiah Donati called her a “once-in-a-generation coach” who has elevated the sport nationally.
Her new contract mirrors that of USC men’s basketball coach Lamont Paris, reinforcing her long-standing advocacy for pay equity in sports. During her Jimmy V Award for Perseverance speech, Staley emphasized her commitment to breaking barriers:
“They’re watching me; I can’t ask them to stand up for themselves if I’m sitting down… How do I not fight for equity when I tell them they can climb as high as they want?”
Beyond coaching, Staley is shaping the future of women’s basketball. She has invested in Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 league founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, both of whom she coached to Olympic gold in 2021. The league not only offers high salaries but also provides on-site childcare for players, ensuring they have the support they need both on and off the court.
As Staley and the Gamecocks continue to rewrite history, her contract also contains a unique clause: if she leaves early, she must repay the remainder of her deal—unless she takes a coaching job in the NBA or WNBA.
With Staley at the helm, South Carolina is built to dominate for years to come. For now, all eyes are on the Gamecocks’ championship run—let’s dance!
