10 Comments
Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Published Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 | 10:45 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 | 12:50 p.m.
It wasn’t an extension or even a dramatic alteration, but UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger’s contract was amended in September.
Upon the recommendation of new UNLV president Neal Smatresk, the state’s Board of Regents approved that the risk of additional marketing expenses not resulting in increased revenue was shifted from Kruger to the university.
“In theory, if all (goes) exactly like last (season), nothing changes, period,” Kruger said recently. “So all it did was remove the risk I had last year.”
Kruger said he had to pay a nominal sum due to last season’s arrangement.
After the 2007-08 campaign, in the wake of UNLV getting at least one victory in a second consecutive NCAA tournament, Kruger signed a new five-year deal with a total base salary of about $1.2 million.
Media appearances are worth about $2.1 million over the duration of the deal, and public appearances net Kruger nearly $1.8 million. A shoe and apparel fee is worth a total of $250,000.
He earns a bonus of $25,000 if UNLV qualifies for the NCAA tournament, and another $25,000 for each victory in college basketball’s marquee event.
Other perks include country club membership and the use of two automobiles, and Kruger will receive a completion bonus of $325,000 if he still is the Rebels’ coach on the last business day of March 2012.
There is a $500,000 buyout clause if Kruger were to leave UNLV before the end of the deal.
That new contract included a ticket-revenue plan that allowed Kruger to engage in marketing activities for the program at his own expense, for which he would be reimbursed depending on revenue generated in excess of projections.
If that figure were up to $400,000, 100 percent went to Kruger. Between $400,001 and $800,000, Kruger received 50 percent. If it were more than $800,000, 75 percent went to Kruger.
The August 2008 amendment, approved by the Regents, called for Kruger to advance $200,000 to fund "certain incremental expenses associated with marketing the men's basketball program."
The September modification calls for UNLV to fund such expenses, which will be recouped from increased revenue generated by additional marketing -- before any such incremental revenue is shared with Kruger.
Again, Kruger said he lost money in the deal last season but that it was not significant. That is what he will not be liable for as of September.
UNLV averaged 13,446 fans for its 18 games at the Thomas & Mack Center last season, which was its first average of more than 13,000 since 1998-99. It had its first sellout, when 18,523 packed the place for a 75-74 victory over BYU, in 16 years.
Still, those figures didn’t offset all of Kruger's extra marketing expenses.
“No, not quite,” Kruger said. “But it was great. I understood that going in. I think the trade-off was well worth it in the increase in attendance, exposure, everything … it was well worth it.”
In the Rebels’ 2009-10 season opener, 14,304 saw UNLV defeat Pittsburg State. A crowd of 13,113 watched the Rebels beat UNR, and 11,651 caught the victory over Southern Illinois.
UNLV (3-0) plays Holy Cross (0-4) tonight at 7 at the Mack, and Louisville visits Saturday afternoon.
Follow Rob Miech on Twitter at twitter.com/RobMiech.
Sounds like Lon Kruger is paying DJ Allen to much money. Is the new football coach going to have his own personal marketing guy? For a school that is hurting for money paying a guy over 100k a year to just market bball is a little excessive if you ask me.
Who ever is in charge of the in game entertainment needs some new ideas... It is the worst. Every year it is the same old stuff.
Good news that the new president took this risk off of Kruger. I don't know if any other coach in the nation would do something like this. He could have probably gotten a guaranteed raise but instead he wanted this program marketed better. Taking the risk away is a great way to make sure a big school cannot come in here and grab him.
This also seems like a good deal for the university. Kruger's contract deals with ticket revenue only. As a long-time season ticket holder, it's easy to see there is a lot more people at these games starting last season. Last night was a great example of that. A few years ago we might have had half as many people in the building for a game against a small school the day before Thanksgiving. The lack of marketing frustrated all of us. Bigger attendance means more revenues in many areas: concessions, merchandise, donations, advertising, etc. And, most importantly, the opportunity for bigger recruits down the line. That's the one I'm interested in! And I'm sure Kruger is as well.
As a UNLV graduate and a Runnin' Rebel fan, I'm liking this new president a lot.
Agree about the in-game entertainment!
I don't care if it's profitable, it sucks.
me and ksiff, 100k a year is peanuts? Wow, I bet there are a few people who read that, who have gotten the pink slip in recent weeks or months, who would feel that way. You've either hit the lottery or fall on the right branches on a family tree.
Wow, UNLV just beat Pitino. This could be an exciting season. Go, Lon, go.
The average family income in the US is 40k. (per Dave Ramsey)
My wife and I are fortunate enough to make a very good living but it took a lot of sacrifices and hard work to get there. 100k is nothing to sneeze at for most people that reside in this country and just because it is peanuts to you doesn't mean you have to act like a condescending snob. I'm sure at some point in your life you remember what it was like to not have wealth and if not, then that explains your comments.
That's true, but when you said "The only full-time job I'd take for that paltry sum is swimsuit contest judge." It hardly has to do with the your topic.
Oh well, a great day for UNLV yesterday.
And what lessons would those be if they never experience obtaining wealth.
No one said anything about having anything handed to them, you shouldn't be sorry that you make a good living, 100k is a small sum to run the marketing dept for UNLV, 100k as a lump sum is not a huge proportion of money when it comes to assets but as a yearly income it IS a good living for most people except for egotistical snots like you who can't be humble about there financial postition. I'm fortunate enough to know several millionaires that in their humility still know the value of money and in this world they know that 100k is a good living for anyone who manages wisely.
Like I said, I'm very blessed to make a good living but I remember what it was like to live in a less fortunate position. Obviously you do not.
Fair enough.
FastCamron..
Props to you for being the bigger man and ending that pointless argument!