• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 16, 2025

At Final Four, Top-Ranked South Carolina Is Also No. 1 In Spending

  • South Carolina spends the most of the Final Four contenders by far — on both its team and head coach.
  • The Virginia Tech Hokies spent $3.4 million last year, the least of all four teams.
South Carolina Gamecocks forward Aliyah Boston, left, guard Zia Cooke, middle, and head coach Dawn Staley speak before the NCAA Womens Final Four
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

DALLAS — Every women’s Final Four team this year hails from a Power 5 conference. But just because they come from the richest conferences doesn’t mean they spend the same amount of money on their women’s basketball teams. 

South Carolina spends the most of the Final Four contenders by far — on both its team and head coach.

The Gamecocks shelled out a whopping $9.5 million last year, according to Department of Education data from the 2021-22 season. In addition, coach Dawn Staley, who makes close to $3 million annually, is the second-highest-paid women’s basketball coach in the country.

  • The LSU Tigers came in second, with $8.3 million in expenses last season.
  • The Iowa Hawkeyes were slightly farther behind, with $6 million. 
  • The Virginia Tech Hokies, who will appear in their first Final Four on Friday night, spent only $3.4 million. 

Those figures don’t include coaching salaries, though head coaching contracts follow the same rankings as overall team budgets.

  • LSU coach Kim Mulkey makes $2.6 million per year, third in the nation.
  • Iowa coach Lisa Bluder earns $1.1 million, ranking eighth.
  • Virginia Tech coach Kenny Brooks, who reportedly makes well under $1 million, isn’t even on the list for the top 25 highest-paid coaches.

Despite the discrepancy, all four have earned a trip to Dallas — and will face off on Friday night.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”
exclusive

WNBA’s Fire Prematurely Announce Head Coach Hire on LinkedIn

Portland is expected to hire Alex Sarama from the Cavaliers, FOS confirmed.
Jenny Just

Austin FC Co-Owner: Teach Your Daughters to Play Poker

She calls poker a “mind sport” like chess that teaches important life skills.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Tortillas

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) takes the ball on a kickoff return in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
October 14, 2025

USC, Michigan Officials Oppose Big Ten’s Private Capital Proposal 

Officials from both schools met virtually on Tuesday.
Cody Campbell
October 15, 2025

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
October 13, 2025

Penn State Could Owe James Franklin Very Little of Buyout

FOS has reviewed Franklin’s 2021 contract extension.
Patrick Kraft
October 13, 2025

Penn State Says Adidas Had No Role in James Franklin Firing or..

Franklin is owed tens of millions of dollars.
October 13, 2025

College Football Coach Firings Nearing $100M in Contract Buyouts

Two other coaches besides James Franklin were fired Sunday.
October 12, 2025

Penn State Fires James Franklin, Will Pay Nearly $50M Buyout

The Nittany Lions lost again Saturday, falling to 3-3 this season.