Iowas Lisa Bluder receives 2-year extension through 2029: What it means for Hawkeyes

June 18, 2024

Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder received a two-year contract extension through 2029 and will earn a $1 million base salary for the 2023-24 school year, according to her contract obtained by The Athletic from an open records request.

Bluder, who guided the Hawkeyes to their first NCAA championship game appearance in April, also will receive $400,000 in guaranteed supplemental income and a $250,000 longevity bonus. Bluder also will have $30,000 to distribute among her assistants and program staff at her discretion.

With 850 career wins and 247 Big Ten victories, Bluder surpassed C. Vivian Stringer last season as the all-time winningest women’s basketball coach in conference history. Bluder is one of 14 Division I coaches to win 850 games or more, including one of four active coaches.

In addition, Bluder’s competitive incentives, personal awards and team academic markers remain intact. At the top includes $100,000 for winning the national title, $100,000 for reaching the Final Four and $50,000 apiece for Elite 8 and Sweet 16 appearances, $50,000 for winning 65 percent of her games and $50,000 for a Big Ten regular-season championship. Those bonuses are cumulative.

For future years, Bluder will earn a 15 percent annual salary increase with an Elite 8 appearance, 10 percent for the Sweet 16 and eight percent for an NCAA selection.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

What does this mean for Iowa?

Bluder is the university’s most popular coach, and the extension and pay raise compensate her for an unprecedented run of success. Iowa set the Big Ten record for average attendance last year and the national title game was the most viewed in NCAA women’s basketball history.

In perhaps the most easily attainable incentive for any Iowa coach, Bluder receives $65,000 should the program sell $300,000 worth of tickets. Considering the school had to halt season ticket orders because demand exceeded capacity, the athletics department might as well deposit that check into her account now.

What does this mean for Bluder?

Bluder, 62, has coached at Iowa since 2000 and this almost assuredly means she will remain with the school through retirement. Also included in her contract is a $500,000 lump sum payment after she leaves the school, regardless of the condition.

Bluder is six wins away from No. 500 at Iowa and she needs 150 to reach 1,000 career victories. One is a shoo-in and the other is a possibility while she remains at Iowa.

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(Photo: Kirby Lee / USA Today)

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