
via Imago
Credit: Imago

via Imago
Credit: Imago
Picture being the person to achieve it all, in your profession — NCAA Final Four, WNBA Championship and an Olympic gold medal. As active NCAA Division I women’s basketball coach, that’s precisely what Kara Lawson has done.
As the head coach of Duke’s women’s basketball team, Lawson is certainly in a league of her own. Some of you might be wondering how much someone with a resume quite like hers earns. Here’s everything we know about Kara Lawson’s salary and net worth, along with a closer look at her career as the head coach at Duke.
What is Kara Lawson’s contract with Duke? How long is the deal?
Kara Lawson was hired as the head coach of Duke’s women’s basketball team on July 11, 2020, succeeding Joanne P. McCallie. The particulars of her contract — its duration and financial arrangements — are not public yet.
Duke’s athletic director Kevin White, who called Lawson the “perfect fit for Duke University,” praised her hiring. She has made her mark at Duke, taking the team to multiple NCAA Tournaments and building a strong overall record during her tenure.
How much will Kara Lawson earn in the 2025 NCAA season?
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Lawson joined Duke as the fifth women’s basketball head coach in July 2020. Within a short amount of time, she’s reversed the trajectory of the program. Above all, she’s already established herself as a significant asset to the program. And yet, Lawson doesn’t rank among the top 20 highest-paid women’s basketball coaches as per the USA TODAY database for the 2023-24 season. The 20th highest-paid coach pulls in approximately $950,000 a year, but it’s unclear exactly how much Lawson makes.

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But given Duke’s status as a marquee program and Lawson’s accomplishments, her salary is probably similar, despite the undisclosed details. What we do know is that her hiring was hailed as a “dream come true” for Lawson. This kind of commitment from Duke reflects just how valuable she is for the program in a leadership and future success role.
What was Kara Lawson’s previous contract with the Duke?
It is unknown whether Lawson has received any sort of contract upgrade, but it is likely that her Duke contract featured a competitive salary and significant support, if not in the upper ranks of NCAA women’s basketball coaching contracts.
The salary may still be a mystery, but the impact that Kara Lawson has made at Duke is evident. With her at the helm, Duke has achieved new heights. Her arrival has provided a level of stability to the program.
What is Kara Lawson’s net worth?
As of recent reports, Kara Lawson’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. That figure includes her salary from the WNBA, her broadcasting gig with ESPN and her position as head coach of Duke University’s women’s basketball team.
The net worth was reported to be $1 million earlier. The increase is probably due to her successful career in coaching and continuing work in sports broadcasting. Her salary, as a coach, is not specified — but head coaches at NCAA Division I institutions generally earn between $200,000 and $1 million per year.
Ultimately, Kara Lawson’s worth at Duke can’t be measured by her salary. Her leadership, vision, and impact are immeasurable. As she continues to raise the profile of the Duke women’s basketball program, her legacy will be measured by far more than her paycheck. Whether she’s coaching her team to victory or inspiring future generations, Lawson’s influence will be felt for years.
What’s your perspective on:
Kara Lawson: Is her impact at Duke more valuable than any paycheck could ever reflect?
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Kara Lawson: Is her impact at Duke more valuable than any paycheck could ever reflect?