$12 Million worth Dawn Staley demands a separate TV deal for women's basketball ahead of NCAA championship game

Modified Apr 06, 2025 15:11 GMT

NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Championship Practice-South Carolina - Source: Imagn — Dawn Staley looks on during practice - Source: Imagn

Dawn Staley wants women’s college basketball to get the recognition and revenue it deserves. Ahead of the NCAA championship game, the South Carolina head coach called for a separate television deal for the women’s tournament. Her goal: to clearly understand the sport’s true market value.

"I don't know if he can get that—open up negotiations for a new television deal would be nice. We need our own television deal so we can understand what our worth is," Staley said at a Final Four press conference.

Expand Tweet

Right now, women’s basketball is bundled into an eight-year, $920 million contract the NCAA signed with ESPN in 2024. That deal covers 40 championships, not just basketball. Coaches, including Staley, believe that structure undercuts what the women’s tournament could earn on its own.

Jose Fernandez, the new Women’s Basketball Coaches Association president and head coach at South Florida, may lead talks on a possible new deal. Past projections show a standalone women’s tournament could bring in up to $81 million per year - more than triple what the previous 14-year agreement paid annually.

Staley, who has a net worth of $12 million (per Celebrity Net Worth), isn’t just coaching for titles, she’s also pushing for progress.

Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks earned their spot in the title game

Dawn Staley talks to ESPN commentator Holly Rowe - Source: Imagn

South Carolina is chasing its third NCAA title in four years. The 2022 and 2024 champions face UConn on Sunday in the national championship game.

UConn, one of college basketball’s most storied programs, is led by Paige Bueckers. The star guard, expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, will play her final college game.

South Carolina comes in with a 35–3 record. It’s the program’s fourth straight season with at least 35 wins.

The Gamecocks earned their spot in the title game with a commanding 74–57 win over top-seeded Texas on Friday night.

Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. ET Sunday at Amalie Arena.

Also Read: Dawn Staley joining South Carolina's dance routine in practice excites fans: "Dawn's Daycare"

About the author

Mohammad Asif Ansari is a journalist covering college football and basketball at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology and brings four years of experience as an NFL and EdTech writer.

While acknowledging the dominance of professional leagues like the NBA and NFL, Asif is drawn to the raw energy and unpredictability of college sports, particularly football and basketball.

Jalen Hurts stands out as Asif's all-time favorite college player, celebrated for his remarkable success on the football field and impressive leadership skills.

In his reporting, Asif seeks to capture the essence of college athletics, delving into the human stories behind the game. From the trials and triumphs of student-athletes to the strategic genius of coaches like Nick Saban, he strives to paint a vivid picture of the college sports landscape.

Asif ensures that his reporting is both informative and ethically sound, meticulously verifying sources and facts to provide readers with reliable and trustworthy content.

When not writing, Asif practices basic MMA, hones his biking skills and expands his language proficiency in Urdu and Arabic.

Know More

Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey - who is NCAAW's highest-paid coach? Find out here

Edited by John Maxwell