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Illinois Extends Athletic Director Josh Whitman’s Contract Through 2036
The deal includes annual incentives and retention bonuses as Illinois rewards Whitman after football and men’s basketball milestones.
- On Thursday, the Illinois board of trustees approved a 10-year, $31 million contract extension for athletic director Josh Whitman, securing his leadership through 2036.
- The extension follows record-breaking success for Illini athletics, which generated more than $200 million in revenue during 2025-26 and achieved historic football and basketball performances.
- Whitman will see his base salary rise to $2.15 million for the 2026-27 year, a salary increase of more than 40%, with total compensation reaching $31.1 million including annual retention bonuses of $500,000.
- This long-term commitment solidifies leadership stability after Whitman hired coaches Brad Underwood and Bret Bielema; the contract prohibits him from accepting positions with any other university.
- Additional incentives of up to $500,000 annually and three automatic one-year extensions through 2039 are possible if Illinois football and men's basketball meet specific performance measures.
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Chicago Sun TimesReposted by 
Usa news
Usa newsIllinois athletic director Josh Whitman gets new contract worth more than $31 million over 10 years
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.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 …
·Chicago, United States
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Associated Press News+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Illinois awards AD Josh Whitman a new contract worth more than $31 million over the next 10 years
Illinois has extended athletic director Josh Whitman’s contract through 2036. The commitment of more than $31 million over the next 10 years comes on the heels of a series of standout seasons for the department and its teams.
·New York, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources29
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center22Last UpdatedBias Distribution78% Center
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources are Center
78% Center
L 18%
C 78%
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