Executive Compensation at the NCAA (2023)

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization focused on college sports in the US. With 1,100 member colleges and universities in 102 athletic conferences across the country that participate in 90 championships in 24 sports in 3 divisions, the NCAA is a powerful and well financed organization.

There are 9 independent board members of the governing party, although 12 are listed on the Form 990 (2022 for the year ending August 31, 2023) – due to timing differences;   6 of the 12 board members are male while 6 of the 12  are female.

Total revenue was $1.255 billion in 2023, most of which came from television rights.  Expenses were $1.175 billion (meaning  the NCAA spent about $80 million less than they raised) in 2023 with the 5 largest expenses reported to be scholarships and grants ($695 million), travel and conferences ($157 million) , fees for services ($127 million), compensation ($90 million), and office ($31 million).

In 2023, 591 employees of the NCAA received $90 million in compensation, which equates to an average compensation of $152,000.  However, only 144 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation. The 15 most highly compensated employees were:

• $3,305,259:  Mark Emmert, President (unil 6/30/23)
• $1,485,746:  Stanley Wilcox, EVP
• $1,013,360:  Brian Hainline, Chief Medical Officer
• $  815,802:  Robert Williams, SVP
• $  670,078:  Daniel Gavitt, SVP
• $  666,504:  Joni Comstock, SVP
• $  595,365:  Kevin Lennon, VP
• $  591,530:  Jonathan Duncan, VP
• $  565,571:  Scott Bearby, Managing Director
• $  548,961:  Kathleen McNeely, SVP of Admin and CFO (thru 9/12/22)
• $  545,665:  Cari Van Senus, SVP (until 6/30/23)
• $  527,025:  Felicia Martin, SVP
• $  431,358:  David Schnase, VP
• $  414,517:  Lynn Holzman, VP
• $  407,441:  Theresa Gronau, VP

The 15 employees listed above received $13 million in compensation. 9 of the 15 (60%) of the most highly compensated employees are male while 6 (40%) are female. 8 of the 10 most highly compensated employees are male while 2 are female.

The most highly compensated employee was Mark Emmert, the former President who received $3.3 million in 2023 and $21 million in compensation from 2017-2023:

• 2023:  $3,305,259
• 2022:  $3,285,392
• 2021:  $2,991,112  
• 2020: $2,908,114
• 2019:  $2,719,779
• 2018:  $3,890,497
• 2017:  $2,433,207

The NCAA paid for first class or charter travel. Specifically, the NCAA paid for chartered business travel, when necessary due to scheduling for the President, Chief Medical Officer, COO, EVP, and SVP’s (4). This was a non-taxable business expense.

The NCAA paid for companion travel. Specifically, the NCAA paid for companion travel for the President.