**BREAKING NEWS: Kim Mulkey Shocks NBA by Rejecting \$45 Million Phoenix Suns Offer, Affirms Loyalty to LSU**
In a jaw-dropping turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the basketball world, LSU Tigers women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey has turned down a staggering \$45 million offer from the NBA’s Phoenix Suns to remain at the helm in Baton Rouge. The lucrative offer, which would have made her one of the highest-paid coaches—male or female—in basketball history, was reportedly structured over five years and aimed to lure Mulkey into a groundbreaking transition from college women’s basketball to the NBA ranks.
But Mulkey, never one to shy away from making bold statements, left no room for speculation during a press conference Thursday morning.
**“I have no plans of leaving—this is home,”** Mulkey declared. “LSU isn’t just a job. It’s a part of who I am. We’ve built something special here, and I’m not finished yet.”
Mulkey’s rejection of the Suns’ offer stunned both NBA insiders and college basketball analysts. The Phoenix franchise, currently undergoing a top-down restructuring after a disappointing playoff run, saw Mulkey as a transformational figure capable of bringing discipline, championship pedigree, and a winning culture to the organization. The unprecedented move to court a top-tier women’s college coach for an NBA head coaching position was already making waves—her decision to stay at LSU has made even bigger ones.
Social media lit up within minutes of the announcement. LSU fans flooded platforms with messages of admiration and gratitude, while analysts expressed both shock and respect.
**ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighed in**, saying, “This is one of the boldest decisions I’ve seen. Turning down \$45 million? That speaks volumes about her character and commitment.”
Mulkey, a Hall of Fame coach with four national titles under her belt—including one with LSU in 2023—has made it clear that her mission is far from over. She’s turned LSU into a recruiting powerhouse and has brought an intensity and swagger to the women’s game that resonates nationwide.
For now, Baton Rouge breathes a collective sigh of relief. The queen of LSU basketball isn’t going anywhere. And in doing so, she may have just redefined what loyalty in coaching truly looks like.
Be the first to comment