Dawn Staley could save millions due to NBA/WNBA exit clause in new $25 million extension

Dawn Staley etched her name in the record books, becoming the highest-paid coach in women's basketball history after signing a lucrative extension worth approximately $25.25 million with the University of South Carolina. The contract will last until the end of the 2029-30 NCAA season and has a unique exit clause that could save the Gamecocks coach millions of dollars.

Staley, who has coached the Gamecocks since 2008, can terminate the contract before its end by triggering the exit clause. If that happens, she would have to pay the university the remaining amount of her contract unless the reason for her exit is that she will take a coaching job in the NBA or WNBA.

That clause allows Staley to move to the professional ranks if an intriguing offer comes from an NBA or WNBA team. That remains to be seen for now, with Staley's main focus on winning more titles with South Carolina. The Gamecocks have flourished under her watch, winning three national championships in 2017, 2022 and 2024.

Staley's latest contract rewarded her efforts with an annual base salary of $4 million. The South Carolina coach was set to make $3.2 million this 2024-25 season before her contract extension took effect.

Dawn Staley's South Carolina puts winning streak on the line against Oklahoma

The South Carolina Gamecocks are one of the hottest teams in the nation, having won 12 consecutive games. Their last defeat came on Nov. 4 when they lost 77-62 to the undefeated UCLA Bruins. Dawn Staley's team shrugged off that loss, defeating their next dozen opponents by an average of 30.3 points.

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Texas Longhorns in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Photo: Imagn

The Gamecocks will look to extend their winning streak to 13 games when they face the Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday at Colonial Life Arena. Second-ranked South Carolina is 5-0 in SEC play, with five of its players averaging in double figures during that period. Joyce Edwards leads the Gamecocks in scoring this season, averaging 11.8 points per contest.

They will have their work cut out for them against the Sooners, who have won 15 of their first 18 games. No. 13 Oklahoma is coming off an 80-63 victory over Missouri on Thursday night. Payton Verhulst starred for the Sooners in that contest, scoring a career-high 38 points on 13-for-19 shooting. She was lights out from the 3-point area, going 6-for-9 from beyond the arc.