Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman gets new contract worth more than $31 million over 10 years

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois has extended athletic director Josh Whitman's contract through 2036, committing more than $31 million over the next 10 years on the heels of a series of standout seasons for the department and its teams. The university's board of trustees approved the new deal for Whitman at its regular meeting on Thursday. The fifth-longest tenured AD among the four power conferences will make $2.15 million during the 2026-27 school year, a salary increase of more than 40%. Whitman is…