Dawn Staley Receives Major Update from South Carolina Leadership

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mathey Gibson | Last updated May 11, 2025 3:27 PM ET

Dawn Staley may already have a statue on campus, but she’s still shaping the future of college athletics — on and off the court.

As the NCAA inches closer to a landmark revenue-sharing settlement, new realities are emerging for programs like the South Carolina Gamecocks.

The proposed House v. NCAA settlement outlines a distribution model that could send more than $15 million annually to Power Four football programs.

Meanwhile, women’s basketball, despite its massive cultural momentum, is expected to receive only around 5 percent — roughly $500,000 per school.

That’s a tough pill to swallow for a program led by one of the most decorated coaches in any sport.

Staley has delivered three national titles, reshaped the standard for women’s basketball success and helped build a fan base that fills Colonial Life Arena on a nightly basis.

She’s also still in the trenches — recruiting, fundraising, winning.

NEXT MILESTONES!

5/13/25 - Deadline for #HouseVsNCAA roster limit objectors to file response to parties proposed roster limit resolution

5/16/25 - Parties' deadline to reply to objectors' responses pic.twitter.com/n1JQDu01Ed
— NCAA Settlement Reporter (@NCAASettlement) May 9, 2025

And the support she has from within South Carolina’s athletic department hasn’t wavered.

“Our situation is different because of Coach Staley,” football coach Shane Beamer said this week. “Not every football coach shares a campus with a women’s basketball coach that has a statue, and she’s still coaching.”

Beamer made clear that both he and Staley understand the financial role football plays — not just in Columbia, but everywhere.

Still, there’s mutual respect.

“She understands the revenue that football brings in,” Beamer added. “But she also wants to win championships too, and she’s a competitive person also.”

What the final financial picture looks like is now up to new athletic director Jeremiah Donati.

But with this week's comments, Staley just received a major show of confidence — and a reminder that her program’s impact isn’t measured in just dollars.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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