Baylor's Kim Mulkey: 'Almighty dollar' the reason for ongoing college season

Baylor Lady Bears head coach Kim Mulkey held nothing back when speaking with reporters about the NCAA continuing college basketball seasons amid the COVID-19 pandemic following Saturday's 75-71 loss to the Iowa State Cyclones.

“The answer is this: The season will continue on. It’s called the almighty dollar,” Mulkey said, according to The Associated Press (h/t Chicago Sun-Times). "The NCAA has to have the almighty dollar from the men’s tournament. The almighty dollar is more important than the health and welfare of me, the players or anybody else.

"One conference does this, one conference does that. The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says this. Everybody is confused. I’m confused. I’m uncomfortable coaching. I understand, COVID is real. I’ve had it — come talk to me sometime. But I don’t know ... all the calls and procedures, that’s gonna go on and make it unusual, uncomfortable for every program. We’re no different at Baylor." 

Mulkey was exposed to COVID-19 on Christmas Day and missed her team's victory over the TCU Horned Frogs on Jan. 2 while isolating. She tested positive two days later, and the team went on pause and had three games called off. As noted by The AP, Baylor hadn't practiced much heading into the showdown versus Iowa State. 

The women's basketball teams for the Duke Blue Devils, Virginia Cavaliers, and San Jose State Spartans all prematurely ended their campaigns due to issues related to the health crisis. 

Baylor is next scheduled to face the Oklahoma State Cowgirls on Wednesday.