Iowa includes unique provision in Lisa Bluder's new contract

Iowa women’s basketball’s recent success comes with its perks. For head coach Lisa Bluder, those perks include a hefty raise and an intriguing new provision in her contract.

“Her base salary — which went into effect July 1 — is now $1 million annually, up from $838,506. Bluder also will receive another $400,00 in guaranteed income (camps, shoe and apparel) in each year remaining on her contract, per the extension obtained by the Des Moines Register via an open-records request,” according to Dargan Southgard of the “Des Moines Register.”

Bluder’s contract was also extended by three seasons. Originally intended to end in 2026, the program extended the veteran head coach through 2029. Two years were added due to a contract stating that a year would be added for every NCAA Tournament appearance by the Hawkeyes. However, the other year was willingly added this offseason.

Southgard noted another important element of the contract.

“The university will pay Bluder a $500,000 lump sum on Jan. 1 following her employment end date, even if that includes taking another job elsewhere. Adding this unique detail only further emphasizes how confident Iowa is that Bluder will retire a Hawkeye.”

New amendment includes highly unusual provision showing Iowa's confidence that Bluder will finish her career there: She'll get $500,000 on the Jan. 1 after the end of her employment at Iowa, even if she ends it to take job elsewhere. Contract is silent about her owing a buyout. https://t.co/Pvzn6u3xTH

— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) July 7, 2023

If Iowa can succeed like last season, Bluder would have no reason to go elsewhere. With Iowa star Caitlin Clark by her side, Bluder coached the 2022-23 Hawkeyes to the first National Championship appearance in program history and the first Final Four since 1993.

Although Iowa fell to LSU in the National Championship, the accomplishment was another milestone in Bluder’s journey. The 62-year-old head coach is the winningest in program history, leading Iowa for 23 seasons.

Under Bluder, Iowa has advanced to 21 postseason appearances (17 NCAA and four WNIT), including NCAA Tournament berths in 13 of the last 15 seasons. Per Southgard, Bluder has no shortage of incentives to find postseason success.

• A 3% increase if Iowa doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament with fewer than eight Big Ten wins.
• A 5% increase if Iowa doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament with eight or more Big Ten wins.
• An 8% percent increase if Iowa makes the NCAA Tournament.
• A 10% increase if Iowa makes the Sweet 16.
• A 15% increase if Iowa advances to the Elite Eight or better.

Bluder has all the pieces to make another deep postseason run in the upcoming season. Not only is Clarke back for her senior year, but seniors Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall are using their COVID years to return for their fifth seasons with the program. Hawkeyes fans have plenty to be excited about.