The University of Illinois extends athletic director Josh Whitman’s contract through 2036, with the university’s board of trustees approving the new deal at its regular meeting on Thursday. Multiple outlets report that the extension is worth more than $31 million over the next 10 years. Under the updated terms, Whitman is set to earn a base salary of $2.15 million in the 2026-27 school year. The agreement includes annual increases of $100,000 each year through 2035-36. In the 2035-36 season, the salary increase is reported to be $200,000, bringing Whitman’s salary to $3.15 million. The reported compensation structure results in increases that begin immediately with the upcoming school year and continue across the length of the extension. The university’s decision follows recent assessments of the athletics department’s performance, though specific performance details are not fully enumerated in the provided summaries. The sources agree on the extension date, the contract end year, and the overall financial value and salary schedule.