Contract details for Kyra Elzy's extension released

Kyra Elzy earned herself a nice pay bump and a contract extension after leading Kentucky Women’s Basketball to its first SEC Tournament title in 40 years. The revised deal was announced earlier this week, but new details of the amended contract have been recently released.

Elzy, who just finished her second season as head coach, will now remain in charge through 2027. Her base pay of $400,000 will remain the same, but her media endorsements will see a significant spike. Elzy will earn the following throughout the duration of her extension, including endorsements:

2022-23 $750,000 ($350,000 in endorsements)
2023-24 $775,000 ($375,000 in endorsements)
2024-25 $800,000 ($400,000 in endorsements)
2025-26 $825,000 ($425,000 in endorsements)
2026-27 $850,000 ($450,000 in endorsements)

In the 2021-22 season, Elzy’s base pay of $400,000 was coupled with an additional $175,000 in endorsements, putting her at $575,000 for the year.

Through two seasons as head coach at Kentucky, the LaGrange native has accumulated an overall record of 37-21, including a 17-14 mark in the Southeastern Conference. Elzy led the ‘Cats to a second-round NCAA Tournament appearance in 2020-21 and a first-round visit this past season, along with the historic intraconference championship.

Elzy oversaw a complete turnaround in the 2021-22 season, taking Kentucky from a 9-11 midseason record to a 10-game winning streak that culminated with a last-second shot to take down No. 1 South Carolina. Unfortunately, UK was knocked out by Princeton in the NCAA Tournament opener, but there was a stretch during the middle of the schedule where even an NIT bid felt unlikely.

Her third season will be far different than the previous three though, as four players have put their names in the transfer portal while Rhyne Howard is heading to the WNBA Draft. But Elzy has a terrific group of incoming freshmen with a solid core of returning players. A contract extension signals that athletic director Mitch Barnhart is comfortable letting Elzy build this program her way.