Gene Smith may earn up to $1.2 million
This year, Ohio State's athletic director Gene Smith could earn up to $1.2 million, which would make him one of the highest paid athletic directors in the nation.
Smith signed a contract addendum with the University in June. The addendum will see the 54-year-old earn a salary of $800,000 with an additional $200,000 for media and public appearances. The addendum can also see him earn up to $1.2 million based on incentive
bonuses. If Smith were to garner all his bonuses, he along with Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, would be among two of the highest paid directors in the nation.
Smith was surprised by how much he could make this season, saying, “Yeah, if I came back to my time, when I started in this profession, I’m shocked at how fast it’s grown. But at the same time, we have a lot of risk and responsibility. So I understand [how]
it’s gotten to be where it is today.”
The salary is fitting for the athletic director of the biggest sports program in the country. Ohio State has more collegiate sports programs than any other school, with a total of 36 programs. In addition, the director deals with a budget of $120 million.
The school has also recently been equipped with new buildings for almost every sport, and Smith has not had to hire a new coach in either of the school’s big name sports (which are football and basketball).
Smith spoke about the size and scope of his job, saying. “You look at the national market. And you look at the fact that we have the most comprehensive, the largest [athletic department] in the country.”
This season it looks as though Smith may earn some of his bonus money, as the Buckeyes football team is currently 4-0 and ranked second in the nation.
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