BATON ROUGE, LA – In a testament to her remarkable achievements, LSU has announced a monumental $987.2 million project to build a state-of-the-art stadium in honor of women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey. The move comes after Mulkey led the Tigers to their first-ever national championship in 2023, her second season as head coach, and cemented her place in history as the fastest coach in Division I history to reach 600 wins, needing only 746 games to achieve the milestone.
Kim Mulkey’s impact on LSU and the broader landscape of women’s college basketball has been nothing short of transformative. Having already established a Hall of Fame career with three national championships at Baylor, her arrival at LSU in 2021 marked a new era for the program. In just two short seasons, she not only revitalized the Tigers but also led them to the pinnacle of the sport, capturing the school’s first NCAA women’s basketball title. Her bold, charismatic leadership and relentless competitiveness have made her a beloved figure not only in Baton Rouge but across the country.
The proposed stadium, tentatively named the Kim Mulkey Arena, is poised to become one of the premier athletic facilities in the nation. The ambitious $987.2 million plan will feature seating for over 18,000 fans, luxury suites, cutting-edge training facilities, academic support centers, and interactive fan experiences. Beyond serving as the home court for the LSU women’s basketball team, the arena is designed to host major sporting events, concerts, and community gatherings, further elevating the university’s stature on the national stage.
LSU President William F. Tate IV praised Mulkey’s extraordinary contributions during the project’s announcement: “Kim Mulkey exemplifies excellence, not only in how she coaches but in how she inspires student-athletes and unites our community. This arena is more than just a facility; it is a celebration of her legacy and the bright future of LSU athletics.” Athletic Director Scott Woodward echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the arena would be a “cathedral of competition” that reflects Mulkey’s relentless pursuit of greatness.
The decision to name the stadium after a sitting head coach is unprecedented in collegiate sports, but LSU officials argue that Mulkey’s rapid and historic success warrants such recognition. With her trademark energy, bold fashion statements, and strategic acumen, Mulkey has brought renewed visibility to women’s basketball and driven record-breaking attendance and viewership numbers. Following the 2023 championship, LSU saw surging enrollment interest, merchandise sales, and donor contributions — a testament to the wide-reaching impact of Mulkey’s success.
Construction of the Kim Mulkey Arena is slated to begin in early 2026, with a projected completion date in late 2029. Funding for the project will come from a combination of private donations, corporate sponsorships, and state-supported initiatives, underscoring the broad base of support for Mulkey and the LSU women’s basketball program.
As LSU embarks on this historic project, Kim Mulkey’s story continues to inspire athletes, coaches, and fans alike. From her early days as a fiery point guard to her ascension as one of the most decorated coaches in the history of the sport, her legacy is firmly etched into the fabric of college basketball. The new arena will not only honor her accomplishments but also serve as a beacon for generations of athletes to come.