Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman gets new contract worth more than $31 million over 10 years
<p>CHAMPAIGN — Illinois has extended athletic director Josh Whitman's contract through 2036, committing more than $31 million over the next 10 years on the heels of a series of standout seasons for the department and its teams.</p><p>The university's board of trustees approved the new deal for Whitman at its regular meeting on Thursday. The fifth-longest tenured AD among the four power conferences will make $2.15 million during the 2026-27 school year, a salary increase of more than 40%.</p><p>Whitman is scheduled to receive $100,000 raises annually before a $200,000 bump to $3.15 million in the final year of the agreement and a $500,000 retention bonus each June 30 that he remains on the job at Illinois.</p><p>The contract also includes additional incentives of up to $500,000 annually related to performance goals set by the university chancellor and three automatic one-year extensions through 2039 if certain Illini football and men's basketball performance measures are met.</p><p>Whitman, a former Illinois football player, was hired in 2016.
Reported by 1 outlet — Chicago Sun-Times. See all sources ↓
<p>CHAMPAIGN — Illinois has extended athletic director Josh Whitman's contract through 2036, committing more than $31 million over the next 10 years on the heels of a series of standout seasons for the department and its teams.</p><p>The university's board of trustees approved the new deal for Whitman at its regular meeting on Thursday. The fifth-longest tenured AD among the four power conferences will make $2.15 million during the 2026-27 school year, a salary increase of more than 40%.</p><p>Whitman is scheduled to receive $100,000 raises annually before a $200,000 bump to $3.15 million in the final year of the agreement and a $500,000 retention bonus each June 30 that he remains on the job at Illinois.</p><p>The contract also includes additional incentives of up to $500,000 annually related to performance goals set by the university chancellor and three automatic one-year extensions through 2039 if certain Illini football and men's basketball performance measures are met.</p><p>Whitman, a former Illinois football player, was hired in 2016. This was the fifth time his contract has been amended. The men's basketball team reached the NCAA Final Four in April for the first time in 21 years.
Read the full report at Chicago Sun-Times ↗
Why it matters
A world story we're tracking; its significance and source trust firm up as more outlets confirm it.
- What's the story?
- <p>CHAMPAIGN — Illinois has extended athletic director Josh Whitman's contract through 2036, committing more than $31 million over the next 10 years on the heels of a series of standout seasons for the department and its teams.</p><p>The university's board of trustees approved the new deal for Whitman at its regular meeting on Thursday. The fifth-longest tenured AD among the four power conferences will make $2.15 million during the 2026-27 school year, a salary increase of more than 40%.</p><p>Whitman is scheduled to receive $100,000 raises annually before a $200,000 bump to $3.15 million in the final year of the agreement and a $500,000 retention bonus each June 30 that he remains on the job at Illinois.</p><p>The contract also includes additional incentives of up to $500,000 annually related to performance goals set by the university chancellor and three automatic one-year extensions through 2039 if certain Illini football and men's basketball performance measures are met.</p><p>Whitman, a former Illinois football player, was hired in 2016.
- How widely is it covered?
- 1 outlet, average source rating 6.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 13m ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman gets new contract worth more than $31 million over 10 years
Sources1TypeCoverageChicago Sun-Times