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Buffs’ Bzdelik gets incentive to succeed
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Buffs’ Bzdelik gets incentive to succeed

Jeff Bzdelik, right, is cheered by CU mascot, Chip, at a press conference announcing Bzdelik will be the new basketball coach at the University of Colorado in Boulder on April 4, 2007.
Jeff Bzdelik, right, is cheered by CU mascot, Chip, at a press conference announcing Bzdelik will be the new basketball coach at the University of Colorado in Boulder on April 4, 2007.
Denver Post sports reporter Tom Kensler on Monday, August 1, 2011. Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post
By | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...

The University of Colorado never has won a national championship in men’s basketball, but Buffs fans can dream, can’t they? Considering the incentive clauses in Jeff Bzdelik’s five-year contract, the new CU coach must be dreaming, too.

In addition to his annual salary – which totals $3,211,500 if he stays all five years – Bzdelik would receive a $350,000 bonus if CU wins the NCAA championship.

Even if he doesn’t do that, Bzdelik can bank some extra coin along the way. He will earn $15,000 for 15 regular-season wins in a given season, another $10,000 if CU reaches 17 victories and yet another $10K if the Buffs get to 21 wins. Another $35,000 would be deposited in Bzdelik’s bank account for winning the Big 12 Conference regular-season title, $25,000 for making the Big 12 tourney semifinals and an additional $10,000 for winning the league tournament.

No word on whether Bzdelik was disappointed his contract doesn’t include an unlimited supply of Birkenstocks.

A glance at Bzdelik’s contract

The University of Colorado Board of Regents on Thursday approved the five-year appointment of men’s basketball coach Jeff Bzdelik. His contract runs through April 18, 2012. The financial particulars of the contract are as follows:

ANNUAL INCOME

(totals $3,211,500 over the five years)

  • Initial base salary is $161,000, eligible for annual adjustments in accordance with the university’s compensation principles and policies for exempt professionals.
  • $238,500 from radio and television shows as requested by the university.
  • $200,000 from sponsorship support.
  • $35,000 from conducting a minimum of three annual basketball camps, guaranteed for all but the final contract year.
  • $3,500 in Nike products.
  • $7,200 car allowance.
  • $4,800 for Boulder Country Club (or a comparable facility) dues.

    INCENTIVE CLAUSES

  • Meeting performance objectives, incentive compensation not to exceed $100,000 for academic progress toward graduation ($50,000), welfare and development of basketball program student-athletes, including citizenship ($25,000) and basketball program outreach ($25,000).
  • Related to competitive success, of which the below will be awarded on a cumulative basis (and dependent on NIT or NCAA tournament participation, not both). The most he could earn in one year would be $500,000 (if CU won the national title), or incremental accumulated amounts as described below:

    a. $15,000 for winning 15 regular-season games.

    b. $10,000 for winning 17 regular-season games.

    c. $10,000 for winning 19 regular-season games.

    d. $10,000 for winning 21 regular-season games.

    e. $35,000 for winning Big 12 Conference regular-season championship.

    f. $25,000 if semifinalist in the Big 12 Tournament.

    g. $10,000 for winning Big 12 Tournament.

    h. $10,000 if named the Big 12 coach of the year.

    i. $25,000 if named the national coach of the year.

  • If the basketball team makes the postseason NIT, he would receive:

    $10,000 for qualify for NIT;

    $25,000 for winning the NIT.

  • If the basketball team participates in the NCAA Tournament, he would receive:

    $35,000 for qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.

    $10,000 if advances to the second round.

    $10,000 if advances to the third round.

    $10,000 if advances to the quarterfinals.

    $35,000 if reaches the NCAA Final Four.

    If Colorado wins the NCAA championship, he would receive the $250,000 bonus in addition to the aforementioned five incentives added together for a total of $350,000 for a national title run.

    MISCELLANEOUS

  • $15,000 moving expenses;
  • Eight season tickets to football, men’s and women’s basketball home games.

    BUYOUTS

    Included in the agreement and approved by the Regents was a $270,000 liquidation obligation due the U.S. Air Force Academy, Bzdelik’s previous school. CU is similarly protected by liquidation damages of $750,000 if the contract is terminated in 2008 or 2009, and $500,000 thereafter.

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