ESPN REPORT: Following the announcement, Texas Longhorns women’s basketball star Rori Harmon was named the SEC Tournament MVP, honored with the prestigious Award of the Year, and received a $10 million team and $3.5 million coach Vic Schaefer remittance.

In what can only be described as a landmark moment in Texas Longhorns women’s basketball history, star point guard Rori Harmon was named the 2025 SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player and honored with the coveted “Award of the Year” by the league, capping a dominant postseason run that placed the Longhorns firmly atop the national stage. Adding to the celebration, ESPN reported a stunning financial development: a $10 million team remittance and $3.5 million bonus for head coach Vic Schaefer, issued by the SEC in recognition of the program’s sweeping success both on and off the court.

The news, which broke shortly after Texas clinched the SEC Tournament title in Nashville, has set off a wave of reaction throughout the NCAA and sports media landscape. From Harmon’s triumphant return from injury to the program’s first major SEC windfall, the announcement encapsulates a transformative chapter in the Longhorns’ storied basketball journey.

Just months ago, there were questions about whether Rori Harmon would return to her All-American form after suffering a season-ending knee injury during the 2023-24 campaign. Harmon not only silenced all doubters—she rewrote the script.

Through three SEC Tournament games, the junior point guard averaged 21.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per contest, leading Texas to blowout wins over Tennessee, LSU, and defending champion South Carolina. Her performance in the final was particularly dazzling: 24 points, 11 assists, and 5 steals in a commanding 82-68 victory over Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks.

“Rori played like she had something to prove,” Schaefer told ESPN. “But truthfully, she’s always been that way. Her work ethic, her leadership, her toughness—this is the most deserving MVP I’ve ever coached.”

Harmon becomes the first player in Texas women’s basketball history to win SEC Tournament MVP, an achievement made even more remarkable given that this was the Longhorns’ first year competing in the Southeastern Conference.

The SEC’s “Award of the Year” is typically reserved for players who make an impact that transcends box scores—and Harmon fit the bill perfectly. Not only did she return from injury ahead of schedule, but she also took on a mentorship role for Texas’ younger guards, led the conference in assists per game, and represented the program in key NIL initiatives and community outreach programs.

“She’s the face of this program, not just because she’s a baller, but because she carries herself like a professional,” said ESPN’s LaChina Robinson during the tournament broadcast. “This award isn’t just about stats. It’s about leadership, representation, and legacy—and Rori checks every box.”

The announcement was met with thunderous applause at Bridgestone Arena. As Harmon stood at center court, holding her two trophies with tears in her eyes, it was clear that this was more than a personal milestone—it was a symbol of how far Texas had come.

In a first-of-its-kind move, the SEC awarded Texas a $10 million program remittance, a financial incentive tied to on-court performance, increased TV ratings, and record-breaking fan engagement surrounding the women’s tournament. The remittance, as ESPN detailed, is part of a newly adopted SEC initiative designed to reward member programs that significantly elevate the profile of women’s sports.

Texas’ women’s basketball team drew the highest average tournament attendance in SEC history and set a new conference record for streaming numbers across ESPN+ and SEC Network+ platforms.

“The numbers don’t lie,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “Texas came in and immediately raised the bar for women’s basketball in our league. This remittance is a reflection of that excellence and our commitment to investing in programs that grow the game.”

Vic Schaefer, already one of the most respected coaches in the country, now finds himself at the center of national conversation. The $3.5 million remittance bonus awarded directly to him—on top of existing performance-based incentives—makes him one of the highest-paid women’s basketball coaches in the country.

More importantly, Schaefer’s leadership is being hailed as a masterclass in program-building. In just five years, he’s taken Texas from tournament hopeful to national powerhouse, now poised as a legitimate threat to end South Carolina and UConn’s dual dynasty grip.

“He’s built a culture here that rivals anyone’s,” said ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo. “You see the accountability, the execution, the intensity. His players don’t just play hard—they play smart. That’s a reflection of coaching.”

Schaefer has been vocal about the importance of investing in women’s sports. In his postgame remarks, he called the SEC’s financial commitment “a game-changer.”

“We talk a lot about equality, about giving these young women the resources they deserve,” he said. “This is what it looks like when a league puts its money where its mouth is.”

With the $10 million remittance, Texas is expected to make immediate enhancements to its women’s basketball infrastructure. Early plans include:

• A state-of-the-art recovery and rehab center tailored for female athletes
• Expanded NIL resources and media training for players
• A dedicated charter flight package for away games
• Increased staff budget for analytics and development personnel

“These enhancements will help us compete with the best of the best every single year,” said Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte. “But more importantly, they show our players that we value their excellence.”

Texas is already reaping the benefits on the recruiting trail. According to ESPNW’s most recent update, the Longhorns are in the driver’s seat to land three of the top 15 high school prospects in the 2026 class. NIL collectives aligned with the university have also reportedly doubled their women’s basketball investments since the remittance news.

With her MVP and “Award of the Year” honors secured, Rori Harmon now turns her focus to the NCAA Tournament, where Texas has earned a No. 1 seed for the first time since 1988. The Longhorns will enter March Madness as a top-three favorite alongside South Carolina and Iowa.

For Harmon, though, the mission is bigger than a title.

“I want to inspire girls who look like me, who come from where I come from, to know that you can overcome anything,” Harmon said during her MVP acceptance speech. “This isn’t just about basketball. It’s about showing the world that women’s sports are worth watching, worth investing in, and worth celebrating.”

If Texas runs the table and secures a national championship, Harmon’s place in college basketball history may ascend to rarefied air. Her combination of production, leadership, and off-court influence mirrors that of past legends like Sue Bird, Sabrina Ionescu, and Candace Parker.

The implications of Texas’ debut season in the SEC are profound. Their success—and the conference’s unprecedented financial reward—could lead to a broader shift in how women’s sports are prioritized and monetized across the country.

“The landscape is changing,” said Sankey. “What Texas has done this year is more than win games. They’ve set a new standard.”

Already, other programs are lobbying for similar performance-based remittances tied to TV deals, NIL metrics, and social impact. The SEC’s next media negotiations could include expanded women’s coverage and primetime slots for marquee matchups—a direct consequence of Texas’ explosion onto the scene.

From injury to icon, from doubt to dominance, Rori Harmon’s 2025 season is one of the most inspiring stories in recent memory. The accolades—SEC MVP, Award of the Year, and a $10 million program investment—are not just milestones, but turning points in the trajectory of Texas women’s basketball and the national sports landscape.

For Harmon, Schaefer, and the Longhorns, the moment is historic. But they’re not done yet.

“We appreciate the recognition,” Schaefer said, holding his commemorative SEC plaque. “But we didn’t come here just to make noise. We came to make history.”