Dawn Staley may already have a statue on campus, but she’s still shaping the future of college athletics—on and off the court.
As the NCAA inches closer to a landmark revenue-sharing settlement, new realities are emerging for programs like South Carolina.
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The proposed House v. NCAA settlement outlines a distribution model that could send more than $15 million annually to Power Four football programs.
Meanwhile, women’s basketball, despite its massive cultural momentum, is expected to receive only around 5%—roughly $500,000 per school.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a program led by one of the most decorated coaches in any sport.
Staley has delivered three national titles, reshaped the standard for women’s basketball success, and helped build a fanbase that fills Colonial Life Arena on a nightly basis.
She’s also still in the trenches—recruiting, fundraising, winning.
And the support she has from within South Carolina’s athletic department hasn’t wavered.
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“Our situation is different because of Coach Staley,” football coach Shane Beamer said this week. “Not every football coach shares a campus with a women’s basketball coach that has a statue, and she’s still coaching.”
Beamer made clear that both he and Staley understand the financial role football plays—not just in Columbia, but everywhere.
Still, there’s mutual respect.
“She understands the revenue that football brings in,” Beamer added. “But she also wants to win championships too, and she’s a competitive person also.”
South Carolina Women’s Basketball head coach Dawn Staley. © Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
What the final financial picture looks like is now up to new athletic director Jeremiah Donati.
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But with this week’s comments, Staley just received a major show of confidence—and a reminder that her program’s impact isn’t measured in just dollars.
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