The impact of women’s college basketball has been steadily increasing, as evidenced by the notable rise in yearly earnings for women’s basketball coaches. A recent study by USA TODAY Sports has uncovered that 18 women’s college basketball head coaches now earn at least £1 million annually, a significant jump from the 11 coaches reaching this threshold in 2022.
One such coach is Teri Moren, who, following the signing of a lucrative contract in March 2023, joined the exclusive million-pound club. While pleased with her substantial increase in pay, Moren voiced disappointment in the limited number of Division I women’s basketball coaches who have accomplished this feat. She attributed this inequality to the stark contrast in pay between men’s and women’s basketball coaches, emphasizing the pressing need for more women to be included in the million-pound club.
Moren, who has been coaching the No. 15 Hoosiers for a decade, saw her base pay rise to £1.25 million for the current season, solidifying her position as the eighth-highest paid women’s basketball coach. This significant increase in her earnings underscores the Hoosiers’ success, including a No. 1 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament following their victory in the Big Ten regular season championship.
The growing popularity of women’s college basketball, evident in record-setting TV ratings and increased game attendance, raises questions about the relatively low number of coaches earning over £1 million annually. The departure of two coaches who were part of the million-pound club in 2022, coupled with the financial disparities between men’s and women’s basketball, further accentuate the need for more equitable compensation for women’s basketball coaches.
The long-standing revenue gap between men’s and women’s basketball has been a key factor in the significant pay disparities. However, there are indications of change, with the implementation of a unit distribution model anticipated to reward schools for participating in and progressing through the NCAA Tournament. This shift is viewed as a step towards recognising the value of successful women’s college basketball programs and coaching staff.
The collective agreement among sports economists and high-ranking officials within various institutions underscores the urgency in closing the gender pay gap in women’s college basketball. Notably, the 18 coaches earning £1 million or more annually are all affiliated with public institutions, further highlighting the need for greater parity in the private sector.
The matter of TV rights and sponsorship deals has also been cited as a substantial roadblock in increasing revenue for women’s basketball. While efforts are being made to secure better terms, the current media rights deal for the NCAA women’s basketball tournament still falls short of what the independent report commissioned in 2021 estimated, hampering the potential for greater financial compensation for women’s basketball coaches.
Amidst these challenges, there are pioneering coaches such as Teri Moren, Dawn Staley, and Kim Mulkey, who are committed to advancing the cause for women’s basketball coaches. Moren, in particular, is dedicated to leading by example and advocating for increased financial recognition for her peers, exemplifying the level of commitment needed to drive the necessary changes.
Ultimately, the future of women’s college basketball coaching compensation hinges on a multi-faceted approach, addressing both head coach salaries and assistant salary pools. The success of star players like Caitlin Clark in drawing large audiences to women’s basketball games further underscores the value of investing in this growing sports sector.
As the conversation around equitable compensation for women’s college basketball coaches continues to evolve, there is a collective effort from coaches, administrators, and industry experts in driving positive change and ensuring that women’s basketball coaches are duly recognized for their invaluable contributions to the sport.