LSU LEGEND KIM MULKEY LEAVES COLLEGE BASKETBALL STUNNED WITH BLOCKBUSTER $40 MILLION DEAL TO COACH WNBA’S CHICAGO SKY — “IT WAS TIME TO DOMINATE THE PROS,” SAYS ICONIC COACH

FROM TIGERS TO THE SKY: LSU LEGEND KIM MULKEY LEAVES COLLEGE BASKETBALL STUNNED WITH BLOCKBUSTER $40 MILLION DEAL TO COACH WNBA’S CHICAGO SKY — “IT WAS TIME TO DOMINATE THE PROS,” SAYS ICONIC COACH

 

In a jaw-dropping turn of events that has sent shockwaves throughout the world of women’s basketball, Kim Mulkey, the flamboyant and fearless head coach of LSU’s Lady Tigers, is officially taking her talents to the WNBA. The legendary coach, known as much for her eye-popping sideline fashion as for her championship pedigree, has signed a monumental $40 million deal to become the new head coach of the Chicago Sky — making her the highest-paid coach in WNBA history.

 

Mulkey, who just last season led LSU to the NCAA Elite Eight and won a national title in 2023, announced her decision during a surprise press conference at LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge on Sunday afternoon. “It was time,” she said, gripping the mic with her signature fiery intensity. “I’ve climbed every mountain in college basketball. I’ve built dynasties. Now, it’s time to bring that same fire to the professional level and dominate the pros.”

 

A Move That Redefines the Game

 

Mulkey’s departure marks the end of an era for LSU and for women’s college basketball. Over her storied career, she accumulated four NCAA championships — three with Baylor and one with LSU — and became the only person in NCAA history to win national titles as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. Her move to the WNBA isn’t just a personal leap; it’s a paradigm shift.

 

Women’s basketball has been experiencing a meteoric rise in viewership and market value, especially with the recent college phenoms like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers lighting up the scene. With Mulkey stepping into the WNBA, the league is poised to gain even more momentum, both in fan interest and financial growth.

 

“Kim Mulkey is a game-changer — not just a coach,” said Chicago Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca. “We didn’t just want a coach; we wanted a culture-builder, someone who commands excellence. She brings championship DNA to this franchise.”

 

A Historic Deal

 

The $40 million contract spans five years, making it not just the richest coaching deal in WNBA history, but also one of the highest in all of women’s professional sports. The contract includes performance incentives, endorsement tie-ins, and a front-office advisory role in player development.

 

“This is more than a coaching hire,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “It’s a declaration. We are investing in winners. We are investing in legacy.”

 

Sources say negotiations were conducted in secrecy for over three months, with Mulkey only informing LSU officials of her final decision this past week. LSU athletic director Scott Woodward expressed bittersweet emotions about her exit: “We knew when we hired Kim that she was a force of nature. She did exactly what she promised: brought us a national championship. While it’s hard to see her go, we respect her decision and wish her nothing but success.”

 

Reactions Pour In

 

The news has taken both college and professional sports communities by storm. LSU star Angel Reese, now a member of the Chicago Sky herself, posted a cryptic but celebratory tweet minutes after the announcement: “Guess who’s back together 🔥🔥🔥.”

 

Former Baylor standout and WNBA legend Brittney Griner wrote, “The WNBA just got real. Buckle up.”

 

Even Caitlin Clark, who has become the face of the league as a rookie, chimed in: “Respect to Coach Mulkey. She changed the game in college. Let’s see what she does here.”

 

What This Means for LSU and the WNBA

 

LSU will now enter a critical transition period. While the program is still rich in talent, replacing a coach of Mulkey’s magnitude will not be easy. Already, rumors have begun to swirl about possible successors, including South Carolina assistant Lisa Boyer and current UConn assistant Jamelle Elliott.

 

For the WNBA, this is a marketing goldmine. Mulkey’s larger-than-life personality, no-nonsense approach, and proven success could draw in new fans and further close the visibility gap between men’s and women’s professional basketball. Her return to coaching Angel Reese — the player whose college stardom exploded under her guidance — adds an irresistible storyline.

 

Mulkey closed her press conference with a classic mic-drop moment: “This ain’t retirement — this is reignition. The Sky’s not the limit. It’s just the beginning.”

 

With those words, the next era of women’s professional basketball officially began.

 

Stay tuned — because if there’s one thing we know about Kim Mulkey, it’s this: she doesn’t just make headlines… she makes history.