NO: LSU to Build $987.2 Million Stadium in Honor of Kim Mulkey, Women’s Basketball Legend
In a bold and historic move, Louisiana State University (LSU) has announced plans for a $987.2 million project to construct a cutting-edge sports complex that will be named after women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey. This decision, met with both thunderous support and pockets of controversy, comes just two years after Mulkey led the LSU Tigers to their first-ever national championship in 2023. The upcoming Kim Mulkey Stadium will stand not only as a symbol of athletic excellence but also as a testament to Mulkey’s transformative impact on women’s sports.
The announcement has drawn national attention for its scale, price tag, and timing—solidifying Mulkey’s place not just in the history books, but also in concrete, steel, and architectural brilliance.
Mulkey’s coaching record is nothing short of legendary. With the 2023 national title win under her belt—earned in only her second season at LSU—she became the first coach in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history to win national championships at two different schools, having previously led Baylor University to three titles (2005, 2012, and 2019). But even more astonishing is the pace at which she reached her latest milestone: 600 wins in just 700 games, making her the fastest coach in Division I history—men’s or women’s—to reach that benchmark.
“This is about more than basketball,” LSU athletic director Scott Woodward said during the announcement press conference. “Coach Mulkey has inspired a generation. She’s changed how we view women’s sports, and she’s elevated our university on the national stage in ways that no budget can quantify—until now.”
The Kim Mulkey Stadium is expected to reflect not only Mulkey’s stature in the game but also LSU’s growing investment in women’s athletics. Plans for the stadium include a 22,500-seat arena, luxury suites, digital fan experiences, a high-tech training facility, a sports science wing, and a hall of fame museum chronicling Mulkey’s career and the rise of LSU women’s basketball.
The nearly $1 billion project is being touted as the most expensive collegiate athletic facility ever constructed exclusively for a women’s program. LSU has emphasized that the new facility will be “gender-equity-forward,” showcasing a commitment to balancing the historic underinvestment in women’s sports facilities.
According to early renderings released by the university, the stadium will blend modern aesthetics with architectural nods to Mulkey’s roots, including custom mosaics, art installations, and even a feature wall made entirely of trophies and accolades she’s amassed over the decades. There will also be dedicated locker rooms and practice courts for the women’s basketball team, a 4K-capable broadcast studio for media training and NIL opportunities, and even a leadership center that hosts workshops for female athletes in coaching, sports law, and executive leadership.
Funding will reportedly come from a mix of private donors, corporate partnerships, and long-term naming rights deals, though LSU has said it intends to limit the financial burden on students and taxpayers.
Still, the nearly billion-dollar price tag has raised eyebrows, particularly among critics who argue that the funds could be better distributed across other programs or academic initiatives.
Some faculty and alumni have taken to social media to express concerns about optics, especially at a time when many public universities are tightening their academic budgets. One post that went viral on X (formerly Twitter) read, “A billion dollars for a stadium while tuition is rising? LSU needs to rethink its priorities.”
However, supporters of the project argue that Mulkey’s influence has brought an exponential return on investment to LSU. Since her arrival, merchandise sales for LSU women’s basketball have soared by 432%, ticket revenue has tripled, and national television appearances have increased LSU’s brand visibility across the country. Not to mention the recruiting spike: LSU has become a magnet for top-tier talent, including multiple five-star recruits and high-profile transfers.
“It’s easy to look at a price tag and be shocked,” said LSU booster and billionaire philanthropist Renee Broussard, who pledged $100 million toward the stadium’s construction. “But when you consider the cultural shift Coach Mulkey has created—not just at LSU but for women’s sports as a whole—this is an investment in equity, excellence, and the future.”
For her part, Kim Mulkey appeared visibly emotional during the announcement. Known for her fiery sideline demeanor and unapologetic confidence, Mulkey took a humbler tone as she addressed the crowd gathered inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
“I never dreamed of this,” Mulkey said. “When I came to LSU, it was about bringing pride to this university, to the state of Louisiana, to our fans who bleed purple and gold. I wanted to win, yes—but more importantly, I wanted these young women to believe that anything is possible. A building with my name on it? That’s something I can’t even wrap my head around.”
She went on to dedicate the stadium to her players, past and present, saying, “This is not my monument—it’s ours.”
Mulkey also thanked her late father, who passed away in 2022, crediting him with instilling in her the values of hard work, resilience, and toughness that have defined her career.
Kim Mulkey’s impact goes beyond just wins and losses. In an industry where female head coaches are still underrepresented and often underpaid, her rise has been a galvanizing force. She is one of the highest-paid coaches in the nation, with a contract estimated at $3.26 million annually, rivaling many of her male counterparts in revenue-generating sports.
“This is the beginning of a new chapter in the story of gender equality in sports,” said Dawn Staley, head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks and a longtime friend and rival of Mulkey. “What LSU is doing isn’t just for Mulkey—it sets a new standard for how institutions value and support women’s athletics.”
The announcement has reportedly sparked conversations at other Power Five programs about expanding investment in women’s athletics. Already, programs like UConn, Stanford, and South Carolina are rumored to be exploring ways to either renovate existing facilities or construct new ones exclusively for women’s sports.
“Nobody wants to be left behind,” said former ESPN analyst and current NIL strategist Maria Taylor. “Mulkey’s success, and LSU’s response to it, is going to light a fire under athletic departments across the country.”
Some speculate that this could lead to a new era in college sports where women’s programs finally receive the resources, marketing, and facilities that reflect their value.
The Kim Mulkey Stadium is slated to break ground in early 2026, with completion targeted for the start of the 2028–29 season. Until then, LSU women’s basketball will continue playing in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, which Mulkey has described as “full of memories” but also “ready for a new chapter.”
There is already a growing waitlist for season tickets for the inaugural season in the new stadium, and corporate interest has surged. Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas are reportedly competing for branding rights within the stadium complex.
Mulkey, ever the competitor, is already setting her sights on more national titles before the doors of her namesake arena even open.
“You think I’m satisfied with just one?” she said with a grin. “We’re just getting started.”
The $987.2 million Kim Mulkey Stadium represents far more than bricks and budget lines. It’s a declaration of intent from LSU—a statement that women’s sports not only matter but are worth investing in at the highest level. As Kim Mulkey continues to reshape the college basketball landscape with her trademark energy and elite coaching acumen, this stadium will stand as a permanent reminder that greatness knows no gender—and that sometimes, the boldest moves lead to the biggest wins.