Will Buyouts Go Bye-Bye in the Rev-Share Era?
On what might happen when the unlimited money spigot runs dry.
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini greets University of Kentucky football head coach, Mark Stoops at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. - Wikimedia Commons
ICYMI, my buddy Griffin Olah recently wrote a great piece outlining the House v. NCAA settlement. You can read it in full here.
The below excerpt from his SID Sports newsletter really got my creative juices flowing.
Between that and revenue-sharing opt-ins, schools are having to be creative in finding new revenue streams.
The most publicized one is Tennessee’s “talent fee surcharge,” where a 10 percent fee is being added onto all season ticket sales at Rocky Top to be distributed directly to student-athletes. While Tennessee is the only publicized one so far, other major schools like Ohio State have considered adding talent fees of their own.
In the mid-major area of Group of Five or FCS programs, perhaps new revenue boosts like Coastal Carolina’s free concessions may take over. After all, the Chanticleers have required donations of a custom amount on all season ticket sales.
I would expect to see prices for tickets, parking and merchandise to rise some in the face of the House settlement to account for the multi-million dollar amounts each school will likely have to pay. I would hope most schools would keep any price hikes reasonable, but that’s yet to be seen.
This got me thinking…
Could We See Big Buyouts Go By the Wayside in the Revenue-Sharing Era?
It’s tough to say for certain, but I have a hard time thinking that with all the money tied up in player payments that universities will be signing up to pay out the same type of exorbitant buyouts we’ve seen in recent years.
In 2023, Texas A&M famously fired head coach Jimbo Fisher and was forced to pay an eye-watering $77.5 million buyout.
During the 2020 season, then-Auburn coach Gus Malzahn was fired to the tune of a $21.5 million buyout.
A year later, national title-winning coach Ed Orgeron was fired by LSU, with the school paying out $16.9 million in buyout money.
The list goes on and on.
One of the more interesting test cases during the 2025 season and coaching cycle could come from SEC country in the form of Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops.
Stoops has been on uneven ground since publicly flirting with the Texas A&M job before the Aggies hired Mike Elko back in 2023. Last season, Stoops and the Wildcats severely underperformed, closing out the season losing six of seven games en route to a 4-8 record.
And as of this week, things got even weirder in Lexington, with longtime Stoops assistant coach Vince Marrow leaving Lexington for a job on Jeff Brohm’s staff at Louisville.
Stoops, who has been remarkably successful for most of his tenure at Kentucky, began drawing sharp criticism during a 4-8 season, and the fear is that the Wildcats can’t pull out of the dive under Stoops. But Kentucky fans had better hope they do, because firing Stoops would be a massive undertaking. It’s not only the amount — about $37.5 million if done after the 2025 season — but the timing. Way back in the third (of seven) amendments to Stoops’ contract, Kentucky agreed to pay that amount within 60 days of the notice to terminate.
There are two key points from that excerpt.
The total amount, which reaches the $37.5 million range.
The 60-day clause that requires the school to pay all of that money soon after the firing.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that $37.5 million paid out in 60 days is a difficult proposition. That’s a heck of a lot of moo-la. Even with SEC media deals and an eager donor base, that sounds difficult to manage.
BUT, we’ve seen crazier things. Kentucky is an incredibly proud fan base and has had a taste of football success in the last five years. We also can’t discount the fact that current Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, a UK alum, would likely be an enticing replacement candidate if Stoops were to be on his way out.
The other possible scenario here is that Stoops just up and quits, perhaps leaving for a job like Iowa. I wouldn’t eliminate that possibility, especially with Ferentz turning 70 and Stoops being a Hawkeye alum.
So, About That Big Buyout Question…
I’m not sure I have a great answer here, and perhaps that’s part of the fun.
Money has always made this sport go ‘round. Anyone who tries to tell you different is wrong. Right now, it feels as if, at least in most places, the unlimited money spigot is starting to run dry.
The players are rightfully getting paid. It’s a good step in the right direction. But that step has unintended consequences and will undoubtedly force athletic departments to reexamine their spending habits.
I can’t wait to watch this all play out. Perhaps with the money flowing in different directions now, athletic departments will be forced to be smarter with their spending, or lie in the bed they made with coaching hires that don’t work out.
What I’m Reading
SID Sports - Don’t forget to subscribe to Griffin Olah’s SID Sports newsletter. As a former Division I sports information director, Olah has a great grasp of the sport, and I really enjoy his work.
2201 Kimball Ave | Cameron Morgan - 2201 Kimball Ave is essential reading for all followers of Kansas State football. As a lifelong K-State fan and former player, Cameron brings a unique and thoughtful approach to the analysis of the Wildcats' football team. His newsletters are rational and insightful, and I genuinely learn something new with every newsletter.
Split Zone Duo | Alex Kirshner, Richard Johnson and Steven Godfrey - SZD is essential reading and following for CFB ball knowers. Godfrey, Richard and Alex are the Holy Trinity for college football analysis and insight. Each member brings a unique flavor to the conversation, which makes for insightful and downright hilarious banter about the sport we all love. If I had someone ask me where to start for smarter college football coverage, SZD is where I'd send them.
Great stuff, Tyler! Interesting to note that there have been some coaches restructuring to lower their buyouts post-House like Mike Gundy and Mike Norvell. We also saw Bill Belichick's buyout crater after a few months, but he's his own beast.
Either way, buyouts are about to be a whole lot different!