Alabama Extends AD Greg Byrne Through '26; Raises Salary To $1.3M

The Univ. of Alabama extended AD Greg Byrne's contract by a year and "increased his base annual salary" by roughly $300,000 to $1.3M, according to Ed Enoch of the TUSCALOOSA NEWS. The extension will take Byrne through June 30, 2026, and his base salary would increase by $40,000 annually to $1.54M in the last year of the contract. When asked the reason for Byrne's raise roughly a year after receiving a salary increase, UA President Stuart Bell said Byrne had done "an outstanding job." The new contract also "includes deferred compensation for Byrne in the form of supplemental retirement contributions by the university." Bell may also "award Byrne a discretionary incentive of as much as $210,000 annually based on academic and athletic performances by UA teams, fundraising, or other considerations." Other benefits "include a $25,000 annual expanse allowance, complementary athletic tickets, athletic apparel, a university vehicle, country club privileges, and 10 hours of flight time in noncommercial plane for personal use" (TUSCALOOSA NEWS, 11/20).

LIFETIME WILDCAT? The Arizona Board of Regents is "expected to vote on a pair of sports-related topics at this week's meeting in Tucson, including a proposed raise and extension" for Univ. of Arizona AD Dave Heeke. The new deal would run through March 31, 2023, and Heeke's base salary "would jump from $650,000 to $750,000, with $10,000 increases in every year" until '23. Heeke "would receive a $100,000 retention bonus if he is still employed" at the school through March 31, 2021. He can also "receive bonuses based on academic performance, Director's Cup rankings and postseason appearances made by football, basketball, baseball and softball programs and national championships won and top-eight national performances by any sport." He would "continue to receive game tickets, a country club membership and two company cars" (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 11/20).