Nate Tibbetts Net Worth and WNBA Contract: What Is His Salary as Phoenix Mercury Head Coach?

From last place in 2023 to a playoff berth in 2024, the Phoenix Mercury didn’t just rebuild—they redefined. With Tibbetts at the helm and stars like Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud leading the charge, the franchise clawed its way back into contention. A 19-21 finish and a first-round exit may not scream success, but make no mistake: The Tibbetts era has officially begun.

After a disastrous 9-31 season, Tibbetts brought his wealth of NBA coaching experience, leading the team to secure a playoff spot. His journey started at Roosevelt High School before continuing at the South Dakota Coyotes in college. Eager to dive into coaching, he began as an assistant with the Sioux Falls Cougars right after graduation. 

However, the real turning point in Tibbetts’ career came with his assistant roles at powerhouse NBA teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic. Call them the proving grounds that shaped the coach, ready to take on the monumental task of rebuilding the Phoenix Mercury.

But while Phoenix laid the foundation for a new culture, one question looms large: just how much is the WNBA’s highest-paid coach making to lead this turnaround?

What is Nate Tibbetts’ Contract with the Phoenix Mercury? How Long is the Deal?

When the Phoenix Mercury hired Tibbetts in October 2023, they didn’t just name a head coach—they rewrote the WNBA’s coaching salary history. As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported, “The Phoenix Mercury are hiring Nate Tibbetts as their new head coach, and they will make him the highest paid coach in WNBA history.”

Tibbetts joined the Mercury after serving as an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic since 2021. His hire followed a disastrous season for Phoenix, one plagued by injuries to Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi, and the absence of Skylar Diggins-Smith. The franchise finished dead last, prompting the dismissal of both head coach Vanessa Nygaard and interim coach Nikki Blue.

While the exact contract length remains undisclosed, it’s clear that Tibbetts’ compensation exceeds the $1 million per year earned by Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon by 200,000. Phoenix’s new ownership, led by billionaire Mat Ishbia, signaled ambition, backing both Tibbetts and GM Nick U’Ren with strong financial commitments. Ishbia also pledged $100 million toward a joint Mercury-Suns training facility.

How Much Will Nate Tibbetts Earn in the 2025 WNBA Season? What is his net worth? 

In 2024, Nate Tibbetts shattered the WNBA’s coaching salary ceiling when Front Office Sports reported his groundbreaking $1.2 million-per-year deal—making him the highest-paid head coach in league history. And with the Phoenix Mercury banking on a major turnaround, that paycheck likely isn’t dipping anytime soon.

In fact, depending on how the Mercury fares in 2025, his net worth could climb even higher. Speaking of net worth over the years, Tibbetts has stacked impressive earnings: about $700,000 with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2011–2013), an estimated $6 million during his eight-season run with the Portland Trail Blazers (2013–2021), and another $1.8 million at the Orlando Magic (2021–2023). With his WNBA deal included, his total career earnings sit close to $9.7 million, fueling an estimated net worth of $8 to $10 million.

Now steering a franchise eager for reinvention, Tibbetts brings not just NBA pedigree, but also a paycheck that signals serious business—the Mercury are betting big, and their coach is cashing in.