According to the NCAA’s new federal tax return obtained by USA Today Sports, president Mark Emmert made more than $1.9 million in compensation during 2015. Of course, that’s nothing compared to Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany, who is due $20 million in bonuses.
While Emmert made close to two million, 10 other NCAA executives made at least $415,000. Compared to the multiple millions of dollars conference commissioners in Power Five leagues make, that’s not too remarkable. But it’s still a big sign that the NCAA’s whole “there’s no money available to pay players” spiel is not really true.
Slavery pays.
Here’s more from USA Today on what the NCAA is doing with all its money:
However, the return provides more details on the NCAA expenses for fiscal 2016, which included:
- Outside legal costs of nearly $33.5 million. That’s about $1.5 million more than the NCAA had estimated when it released its financial statement in March. The NCAA has now reported a combined total of $72.4 million in legal costs on its past three tax returns.
- Advertising and promotion spending of $13.7 million — up from $6.3 million in 2015 and $1.2 million in 2014. In a statement, Osburn said of these increased expenses: “To further support student-athletes and the membership, the Board of Governors approved the Pathway to Opportunity initiative, which is a framework for decisions and communications focused on the NCAA’s core values of academics, wellbeing and fairness.” The campaign includes a variety of written, video and social media content.
- Lobbying expenses of $410,000 — down from $560,000 in 2015, but still well ahead of the $155,000 in 2014 and $160,000 in 2013.
I’m sure Emmert would have been just as happy receiving his compensation in scholarships. Unless he’s a hypocrite. Which of course could never be the case…