Executive Compensation at the NCAA (2024)

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 10 are listed on the Form 990 (2023 for the year ending August 31, 2024) – due to timing differences;   4 of the 10 board members are male while 6 of the 10  are female.

Total revenue was $1.3 billion in 2024, most of which came from television rights.  Expenses were $3.9 billion because of an antitrust settlement that cost the organization $2.7 billion (to pay damages to Division 1 athletes for NIL restrictions going back to 2016), so the NCAA closed the year with a negative $2 billion in net assets.

If the settlement is not considered, the NCAA had $1.2 billion in expenses off which $93 million was compensation for 619 employees (an average of  $150,000).   However, only 187 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation. The 16 most highly compensated employees were:

• $6,341,682:  Mark Emmert, Former President (until 6/30/23)
• $3,422,505:  Charles Baker, President
• $1,543,251:  Stanley Wilcox, EVP
• $1,056,766  Brian Hainline, Former Chief Medical Officer (until 6/1/24)
• $   817,151:  Cari Van Senus, Former SVP (until 6/30/23)
• $   812,716:  Mario Morris, SVP, Admin and CFO
• $   810,759:  Daniel Gavitt, Former SVP
• $   679,672:  Joni Comstock, Former SVP (until 3/2/24)
• $   640,034:  Kevin Lennon, VP
• $   612,297:  Jonathan Duncan, VP
• $   604,174:  Scott Bearby, SVP
• $   567,841:  Felicia Martin, SVP
• $   468,136:  Timothy Buckley, SVP
• $   462,963:  David Schnase, VP
• $   429,832:  Lynn Holzman, VP
• $   444,636:  Theresa Gronau, VP

The 16 employees listed above received $20 million in compensation. 11 of the 16 (69%) of the most highly compensated employees are male while 5 (31%) are female. 8 of the 10 most highly compensated employees are male while 2 are female.  It is important to note 5 of the 16 above left the organization between 2023-2024.

The most highly compensated employee was Mark Emmert, the former President who received $6.3 million in 2024 and $27 million in compensation from 2017-2024:

• 2024:  $6,341,682
• 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, VP, 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.