(Eric Musselman, University of Arkansas)
A sports network’s analysis of the contracts of new head basketball coaches at public universities found that several will be provided with local club memberships as part of their deals. And in at least one case, the coach will be reimbursed for “business-related charges” made through the membership.
WatchStadium.com, the website of Stadium, a multi-platform sports network, recently published the results of its investigation into the signed contracts, offer letters or memorandums of understanding involved with the hiring of new head basketball coaches at public universities, and the findings included details about club memberships that were included in the negotiations for added perks in the coaches’ compensation and benefits packages.
“We read through the contract details and have compiled some of the most interesting details and clauses—beyond the basic details of the number of years, annual salaries and buyout amounts—that casual college basketball fans may not think about when a university names a new head coach,” WatchStadium.com wrote in its report.
Under the heading “Country Club Memberships,” the WatchStadium.com report revealed these specific details about certain coaches’contract agreements:
• The University of Alabama agreed that new Head Coach Nate Oats would receive membership privileges at NorthRiver Yacht Club in Tuscaloosa or another mutually agreed-upon country club within Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The university agreed to pay all monthly membership dues, while Oats will be responsible for all personal expenses, such as food and beverage charges.
• At the University of Arkansas, new Head Coach Eric Musselman’s contract entitles him to a membership at The Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark. or Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark., “provided that memberships are made available to the university for the benefits of its coaches,” WatchStadium.com reported. The contact stipulates that the university is not responsible for any food minimums or purchases of goods and services at the clubs, WatchStadium.com reported.
• Georgia State University will pay for an annual membership for new Head Coach Rob Lanier at the Commerce Club in Atlanta, WatchStadium.com reported. Lanier will be responsible for any personal charges he or his family make, but will be reimbursed for any “business-related” charges that do not exceed $2,000 annually.
• Memberships to “a local golf or country club” that will be paid for by the universities were also included in the contracts for John Brannen, the new head coach at the University of Cincinnati; Steve Alford, the new head coach at University of Nevada, Reno,; and T. J. Otzelberger, the new head coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), WatchStadium.com reported.
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