CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Illinois has extended athletic director Josh Whitman’s contract through 2036, committing over $31 million for the next decade. The university’s board of trustees approved the new deal during their regular meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Whitman, who was hired in 2016 and is a former Illinois football player, will earn $2.15 million in the 2026-27 school year, marking a salary increase of more than 40%. His contract includes annual $100,000 raises, a $200,000 increase to $3.15 million in the final year, and a $500,000 retention bonus each June 30 while he remains employed.

Additional incentives of up to $500,000 annually are tied to performance goals set by the university chancellor. The contract also allows for three automatic one-year extensions through 2039 if specific Illini football and men’s basketball performance benchmarks are met.

The extension comes after notable achievements under Whitman’s leadership: the men’s basketball team reached the NCAA Final Four in April 2026 for the first time in 21 years, and the football team won 19 games over the last two seasons, setting a program record for that span. Illini athletics also set a revenue record for the fourth consecutive year, surpassing $200 million for the first time in the 2025-26 fiscal year, according to the board of trustees meeting memo.

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