Athletics director Ron Mason signed a five-year contract and will garner an annual salary of $270,000. He also could earn an additional $89,100 in deferred annual compensation.
MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said the deferred compensation could be received anytime within the life of the contract, but the bulk of the money is intended to come if Mason stays at his position through 2007.
Mason’s $270,000 annual salary is nearly 60 percent more than his $173,215 salary as MSU hockey head coach. Former athletics director Clarence Underwood’s salary was $153,720.
Fred Poston, vice president for Finance and Operations, said the details of the contract were representative of national trends.
“When we talked with our executive search consultant, with the Big Ten and with administrators at other universities, it became clear that at this time the market for outstanding leaders of major athletic departments is, more and more, extremely competitive, and that compensation is reflecting that situation,” Poston said in a statement.
“In Ron Mason, we have a nationally recognized leader, administrator and manager.”
Denbow said contract talks went smoothly and MSU is glad to have Mason under contract.
“This is a top-notch, top-of-the-line person,” Denbow said. “Not only is the salary competitive, but it was a salary paid to somebody who clearly was head and shoulders above other candidates.
“This is the person we wanted, and this is the person we got and I think both the compensation and length are reasoned and reasonable.”
If Mason stays for the length of the contract, it will be the longest tenure since former athletics director Doug Weaver, who served from 1980-89.
Susan Lipton, associate commissioner of the Big Ten, said lengthy contracts are the norm for most institutions.
“It is not uncommon for a position such as this throughout the Big Ten or throughout major Division I athletics,” she said. “That’s not something that would be exclusive to Michigan State.”
Denbow said the contract is aimed at developing the future of MSU athletics.
“It looks to the long-term future of the athletic department,” Denbow said. “He brings an agenda, but he also brings a vision. Five years is an appropriate time both to have an agenda and a vision.”
