By Rivers Hughey
LSU women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey joined SiriusXM’s College Sports Radio to talk to Jacob Hester during the SEC’s Spring Meetings in Destin, Florida, sharing her thoughts on the current landscape of college athletics, the evolving NIL and transfer portal conversations, and the importance of revenue sharing for women’s sports.
Despite the professional tone of the meetings, Mulkey couldn’t help but express her desire to trade her heels for flip-flops and enjoy the nearby beach, which is a favorite vacation destination for her family.
“When I was in the Big 12, we met at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs,” she said. “But I’m not a golfer. I’ll take water and a beach any day.”
Going into her fifth year at LSU, Mulkey reflected on the significant shifts she’s seen at conference meetings over the years, particularly the increasing dominance of NIL and transfer portal discussions.
“We used to talk about refs, game schedules, non-conference planning…all the same stuff,” Mulkey said. “Now we’re talking about rulings from judges. It’s like building the ship while you’re already on the water.”
Despite the chaos, Mulkey expressed confidence in SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey to guide the league through uncertain times.
“Sankey has to make tough decisions and unite 16 institutions. Either he’s a genius or he’s got some really smart people around him,” she joked.
Revenue Sharing Takes Center Stage
Mulkey said one of the most passionate conversations this week revolved around revenue sharing in athletics, particularly the disparities between men’s and women’s programs.
“There’s this idea that it’s 75% for football, 15 for men’s basketball, and five for women’s basketball,” she said. “But not everyone is even getting that five percent.”
While acknowledging LSU’s investment in her program, she emphasized the broader concern: “How can schools compete with LSU, South Carolina, or Texas if they can’t get that same level of support?”
Mulkey reiterated a belief she’s often shared publicly, “No women’s sport makes money. So you can’t just look at bottom-line numbers; you have to see value. Sold-out arenas, TV ratings, championships. That matters.”
Program Updates and Summer Preparation
Mulkey also provided updates on her team’s summer plans. With freshmen and transfers arriving in Baton Rouge, summer workouts will be staggered to allow flexibility for players involved in national team activities.
“We’ve got some high-profile transfers and a really strong freshman class,” she said. “Transfers, you know what they can do. The high school kids? You let them figure out their role. Don’t put too much pressure on them yet.”
She expressed excitement about her team’s depth on the perimeter but noted questions remain in the post after the departure of key front court players.
Back to the Box
Before wrapping up, Hester asked about Mulkey’s love of baseball and whether she’d be attending LSU’s regional this weekend.
“I plan to be there,” she confirmed. “I love playoff atmospheres in any sport. People just take it to another level.”
Mulkey, who spent over two decades in Waco, Texas, is familiar with regional opponent Dallas Baptist and even has personal connections to players on the team.
“I know the Box will be full. I hope we can win and host a Super Regional,” she said. “Jay (Johnson) has had a great year.”
As always, Mulkey’s message was clear: on the court, in meetings, or in the stands, she’s fully invested in the success of LSU and the SEC.
