Dawn Staley, the head coach of the South Carolina women's basketball team, signed a new deal in October 2021 that was worth $22.4 million over seven years and included an annual raise of $1 million. As a result of the contract, she became one of the top three highest-paid coaches in the sport, with Geno Auriemma of the University of Connecticut and Kim Mulkey of LSU. It also made her the highest paid Black female college basketball coach today.
Pay Disparity
Nonetheless, the promotion that Staley received is more of an anomaly than the norm. A recent research found that coaching pay for women's sports at the Power 5 colleges are not increasing at a pace that is equivalent to the rate of increase for men's coaching salaries. In 2021, when inequities between the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments were brought to light through social media, Staley was motivated to strive for wage fairness as a result.
She stated that she did a salary comparison with herself and the previous men's basketball coach Frank Martin, and she discovered that Martin was receiving more money annually in increases than she was making at the time. Staley was owed $2.9 million during the 2021-22 season as part of her new deal. This number will reach $3.5 million at the end of the seven-year deal after increasing by $100,000 per year over the term of the contract. Staley was still receiving a basic income of $1 million from her prior contract when she signed the $22.4 million deal, thus money was not a factor for her in making the decision to sign it. She desired for the transaction to serve as a message in support of financial investment in women's sports.
Staley has already received a bonus payment of $75,000 for guiding the Gamecocks to an SEC regular-season championship and another bonus payment of $15,000 for leading the Gamecocks to victory in 11 or more conference games this season. Staley also secured incentives of $25,000 for being chosen Coach of the Year by the SEC coaches and for National Coach of the Year by the Naismith Trophy.
Both of these accolades were awarded to Staley. Ultimately, she was awarded a bonus of $15,000 for bringing South Carolina to a finish in the Top 25 of the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Her achievement earned her the bonus. Staley, who is 52 years old and currently ranks among the highest-paid coaches in women's basketball, will be leading the team for the 15th season.
Author Bio
Alyaziah Hayat is a 22-year-old journalist covering news and events on history, finance, crime, and pop culture. She has an eye for detail and is always looking for the next big story. Looking to work with her? Reach out here!
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