BREAKING: Kim Mulkey Leaves LSU Tigers for Chicago Sky in Record $30M WNBA Mega-Deal – Is This the Biggest Coaching Move Ever?
In a seismic shift that has sent shockwaves through the world of women’s basketball, LSU Tigers’ legendary head coach Kim Mulkey has agreed to a historic $30 million deal to take over as the next head coach of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky. The blockbuster move, confirmed by multiple sources late Tuesday night, marks one of the most expensive coaching acquisitions in women’s sports history and raises the stakes for the WNBA as it continues its rapid rise in popularity. Mulkey, fresh off leading LSU to a national championship in 2023 and establishing the Tigers as a powerhouse, now faces an entirely new challenge: turning the Sky into a title contender in a league that’s becoming more competitive by the year.
The $30 million figure is staggering by WNBA standards, dwarfing previous coaching contracts and signaling a bold new era for the league. For context, the average WNBA head coach salary has traditionally hovered in the low-to-mid six figures, with only a handful of the most established names earning close to seven figures annually. Mulkey’s deal, reportedly spanning five years with performance incentives that could push the total even higher, instantly resets the market and sends a clear message: the WNBA is willing to invest big money to attract elite coaching talent. The Chicago Sky, under new ownership looking to make a splash, have positioned themselves as serious players in the league’s future, and landing Mulkey—a three-time NCAA champion and one of the most recognizable figures in women’s basketball—is a franchise-defining coup.
For Mulkey, the decision to leave LSU after just three seasons—a tenure that included a national title, multiple SEC championships, and the development of superstar Angel Reese—was not made lightly. Known for her fiery sideline presence, unmatched competitive drive, and deep ties to the college game, Mulkey had built a dynasty at Baylor before resurrecting LSU’s program in short order. But sources close to the situation indicate that the allure of a new challenge, combined with the unprecedented financial commitment from Chicago, ultimately swayed her. The Sky, who won their first WNBA championship in 2021 but have since undergone a roster overhaul, present Mulkey with a chance to prove herself at the professional level—a stage where her intense, detail-oriented coaching style could either thrive or face its toughest test yet.
The reaction from the basketball world has been swift and polarized. LSU fans are devastated, with social media flooded by disbelief and frustration over losing a coach who had restored the program to national prominence. Meanwhile, WNBA analysts and players are buzzing about what Mulkey’s arrival means for the league. Some see it as a watershed moment that could attract more high-profile college coaches, while others question whether her hard-nosed, old-school approach will translate to the pros, where player autonomy and adaptability are crucial. Current Sky players, including standout guard Dana Evans and rising star Kamilla Cardoso, will now have to adjust to Mulkey’s demanding system, which emphasizes defense, discipline, and relentless effort—a style that has both earned praise and drawn criticism over the years.
The move also raises larger questions about the evolving landscape of women’s basketball. With NCAA stars like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers entering the WNBA soon, and the league’s TV ratings and sponsorship deals skyrocketing, Mulkey’s hiring feels like a strategic play to capitalize on the sport’s momentum. The Sky’s ownership group, led by billionaire investor Michael Alter, has made no secret of their ambition to turn the franchise into a marquee destination, and securing Mulkey—a coach with a proven track record of winning and a larger-than-life personality—could help draw even more attention to the team. Additionally, her presence might make Chicago a more appealing destination for top free agents, further shifting the balance of power in the league.
But challenges loom. The WNBA’s grueling schedule, extensive travel, and roster limitations require a different kind of management than the college game, where Mulkey had full control over recruiting and player development. She’ll also need to navigate a locker room filled with established veterans who may not respond to the same motivational tactics that worked with college athletes. Critics point to other highly successful NCAA coaches who struggled in the WNBA, such as Geno Auriemma’s brief stint with the USA Basketball women’s national team or even some of Mulkey’s own former peers who found the pro game less forgiving. Still, if anyone has the confidence and resume to defy expectations, it’s Mulkey—a coach who has spent her entire career proving doubters wrong.
For LSU, the search for a replacement begins immediately, with athletic director Scott Woodward facing immense pressure to find a coach who can maintain the program’s elite status. Names like South Carolina’s Dawn Staley (though unlikely to leave her own dynasty), Oregon’s Kelly Graves, or even former Mulkey protégé and current Baylor head coach Nicki Collen could surface as potential candidates. But replacing a figure as iconic as Mulkey, who brought not just wins but a swagger back to Baton Rouge, will be an uphill battle.
As for the WNBA, Mulkey’s arrival is a statement. A $30 million coaching deal would have been unthinkable even five years ago, but as the league grows, so do its ambitions. If Mulkey succeeds in Chicago, she could pave the way for more high-profile crossovers from college to the pros, further blurring the lines between the two realms of women’s basketball. If she stumbles, it may reinforce the notion that the WNBA is a different beast altogether. Either way, one thing is certain: Kim Mulkey’s shocking exit from LSU to join the Chicago Sky is the kind of move that changes the game—literally and figuratively. The question now is whether this will be remembered as the moment the WNBA took its next giant leap forward or a cautionary tale about the risks of blockbuster hires. Only time will tell, but for now, the basketball world will be watching.
